58 Year Old Bruno Labbadia Appointed New Super Eagles Coach

NFF Confirms Appointment of Bruno Labbadia Ex Bayern Munich Star

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of former Bayern Munich player, Bruno Labbadia, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. Labbadia, who becomes the 37th coach to lead Nigeria’s national team, takes over following the resignation of Finidi George. The appointment was confirmed in a statement by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Who is Bruno Labbadia?

Born on February 8, 1966, in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia boasts an impressive footballing pedigree. During his playing career, he earned two caps for the German national team and featured for top clubs including Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.

Transitioning to coaching, Labbadia has managed some of Germany’s biggest clubs, including Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen. He holds a UEFA Pro License and becomes the sixth German to manage the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of coaches like Berti Vogts and Gernot Rohr.

Labbadia’s Immediate Challenges: AFCON 2025 Qualifiers

Labbadia’s first task as Super Eagles coach will be to navigate the team through crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Nigeria faces Benin Republic on September 7 in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10 in Kigali. These matches are vital as Nigeria seeks to secure its place in the upcoming AFCON tournament.

The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, are set to face familiar opponents Benin Republic, who recently bested them in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Libya and Rwanda complete the group, both of whom are also competitors for World Cup qualification in 2026.

Labbadia’s tenure begins with high expectations as Nigeria aims to reclaim its dominance on the African football stage.

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