Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde has expressed his reservations regarding the recent appointment of Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach of Nigeria’s national football team.
Onigbinde’s comments have sparked a debate about the decision and the broader challenges facing Nigerian football.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially announced Labbadia’s appointment on Tuesday morning. Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary, confirmed that the decision was approved by the NFF Executive Committee based on the recommendation of the Technical and Development Sub-Committee. “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect,” Sanusi said.
Labbadia, who previously managed several clubs in Germany, replaces Finidi George in a role that has sparked considerable debate among Nigerian football fans and pundits. Onigbinde, who has previously managed the Super Eagles, voiced his concerns to Complete Sports, questioning the rationale behind the appointment.
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“It is only the people that took the decision [to appoint Labbadia] who can best explain why,” Onigbinde stated, indicating a lack of clarity in the decision-making process. He further emphasised that the challenges facing Nigerian football extend beyond mere technical issues.
“Like I always tell you, the problem of Nigerian football is not technical or administrative. No matter how good a coach is, if the administration of the game is not in order, then there is a problem,” Onigbinde added. His remarks suggest that he believes the fundamental issues plaguing Nigerian football are not being addressed adequately.
Onigbinde also questioned the effectiveness of Labbadia’s appointment given the existing talent within the Super Eagles. “Haven’t we had an array of great talents in the Super Eagles? What has been the result? Mind you, the first time I handled the Super Eagles, I had a pack of young players. So it’s not a matter of having an array of talents,” he noted.
The appointment of Labbadia has been met with mixed reactions, with some critics suggesting that former coach Finidi George might have been a better option. Onigbinde’s comments highlight a broader concern about the NFF’s decision-making process and the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by Nigerian football.
Labbadia’s immediate challenge will be to lead the Super Eagles in two crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic on September 7th in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10th in Kigali.
