The controversy surrounding the failed appointment of German coach Bruno Labbadia as the head coach of the Super Eagles has taken another turn.
Sports Minister John Enoh has expressed his disappointment and frustration over the handling of the situation, which he described as “embarrassing and regrettable.”
STUTTGART, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Bruno Labbadia, Head Coach of Stuttgart, reacts during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and VfL Wolfsburg at Mercedes-Benz Arena on March 18, 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Labbadia was announced as the new head coach by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on August 27, but he withdrew from the role just days later due to a dispute over tax coverage.
The NFF had initially announced Labbadia’s appointment with high hopes, but the deal unraveled when Labbadia insisted that the NFF cover the full tax amount, which the federation could not meet.
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In an interview with Arise TV, Enoh revealed that he had promptly contacted the NFF to seek clarification on why the appointment was announced before all terms were finalized.
“I quickly reached out to the NFF to ask why they announced the coach’s appointment before finalizing everything. Their response was that they had received a commitment from the coach,” Enoh said.
Sports Minister John Enoh
The failed appointment has left the Super Eagles without a permanent head coach, and Augustine Eguavoen has been reinstated as interim head coach for the fourth time.
Eguavoen has done an impressive job so far, leading the team to a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic and a draw against Rwanda.
However, it remains uncertain whether the NFF will continue their search for a new head coach or if they will maintain their trust in Eguavoen for the remaining 2025 AFCON qualifiers fixtures.
Super Eagles Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen
Eguavoen has addressed rumors regarding his position, stating clearly that he is still in charge and still the Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation.
The controversy has raised questions about the NFF’s handling of the situation and their ability to attract top coaches to the Super Eagles.
The failed appointment has also sparked debate about the future of Nigerian football and the need for a more transparent and professional approach to the sport.
