NFF faces scramble to finalise contract for newly appointed Super Eagles coach Bruno Labbadia
Newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Bruno Labbadia, may not be in the dugout for Nigeria’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to finalise a formal contract with the German tactician.
The NFF announced Labbadia’s appointment on Tuesday, but according to reports, the agreement on contractual terms has not yet been reached. This delay could see Labbadia miss the two AFCON qualifying matches set for Saturday, 7th September in Uyo and Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali.
BBC reporter Shina Okeleji highlighted the situation on social media, stating, “Nigeria hoping to finalise contractual details with German coach Bruno Labbadia on Friday to enable him to travel to Uyo and take charge of the Super Eagles in AFCON qualifying fixtures against Benin & Rwanda. Desperate NFF announced Labbadia’s appointment without sorting T&C & contract.”
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The NFF’s decision to announce Labbadia’s appointment before securing a contract has sparked concerns among fans and the media. The federation is, however, reportedly working tirelessly to ensure the contract is signed by Friday, allowing Labbadia to assume his role in time for the upcoming fixtures.
Labbadia, a seasoned coach with extensive experience in the Bundesliga, is expected to bring new tactical insights and leadership to the Super Eagles as they aim to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
This situation is reminiscent of previous instances where the NFF announced coaching appointments without finalising agreements, raising questions about the federation’s management processes.
Nonetheless, the NFF remains confident of reaching a mutual agreement with Labbadia, who is seen as a key figure in Nigeria’s quest for 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament qualification success.
