Bruno Labbadia has been appointed as the new head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, as they prepare for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin in September.

This decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) comes after a two-month search following the resignation of former coach Finidi George.

Labbadia, who has been out of coaching since leaving VfB Stuttgart in April 2023, is tasked with guiding Nigeria not only through the upcoming AFCON but also to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His appointment has generated significant discussion among Nigerian football fans.

Several prominent coaches had been linked to the position, including Hervé Renard, who previously managed Ivory Coast, and Janne Andersson, the former Swedish national team coach. Andersson acknowledged his interest in the role, emphasizing Nigeria’s rich footballing culture.

Other candidates reportedly in contention included Gustavo Poyet, Aitor Karanka, and Fabio Cannavaro. However, Labbadia’s extensive experience, which includes managerial roles at Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg, Hamburg, and Bayer Leverkusen, coupled with his UEFA Pro License, made him the NFF’s final choice.

Labbadia’s immediate challenge will be to steer the Super Eagles to success in their AFCON qualifying campaign, starting with the crucial match against Benin. The NFF is hopeful that his leadership will reinvigorate the team and lead to future triumphs.