September 08, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has once again found itself embroiled in controversy following its botched attempt to appoint German coach, Bruno Labbadia as the new Super Eagles manager. This latest fiasco has left Nigerian football fans frustrated and questioning the competence of the federation’s leadership.
The saga began with high hopes, as rumours swirled about potential high-profile candidates for the Super Eagles job. Names like Herve Renard, the French coach who has won two Africa Cup of Nations titles and Portuguese manager, Conceiçao were mentioned as possible contenders. These reports generated excitement among supporters, who believed the national team might finally secure a coach with some proven capacity to lead them back to glory.
However, as weeks turned into months without any official announcement, patience began to wear thin. Then, in the early hours of last Tuesday, the NFF suddenly declared that they had reached an agreement with Labbadia to become the new Super Eagles head coach. The timing of this announcement, made while most Nigerians were asleep, immediately raised eyebrows.
The reaction from football fans was swift and largely negative. Many criticised the NFF for settling on a relatively unknown quantity after such a prolonged search. Labbadia, while experienced in German club football, has never managed a national team or worked in Africa. His lack of continental experience and trophy-winning pedigree at the highest level left many supporters underwhelmed.
But the true embarrassment was yet to come. Just days after trumpeting Labbadia’s appointment, reports emerged that the deal had fallen through due to complications surrounding German tax regulations. The NFF was forced to backtrack, admitting that they had failed to finalise crucial details before making their premature announcement.
It is worth noting that in the wake of this confusion, false rumours began circulating on social media about the reasons for Labbadia’s rejection of the job. A fact-check by FIJ (First Information Journalist) debunked claims that Labbadia had quit due to threats from senators and politicians demanding 10 per cent of his salary. These unfounded rumours, which spread rapidly online, only added to the public’s frustration and highlighted the need for clear, official communication from the NFF.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau attempted to explain the situation, stating: “The tax details were never part of our discussions and he had personally agreed to all terms before the tax issue came up. We were doing our best to be flexible in the discussions, but he was adamant that the NFF had to pay the full tax amount as well. We simply cannot do that.”
This statement raises serious questions about the NFF’s negotiation process and due diligence. How could such a fundamental issue as tax liability be overlooked in initial discussions? Why was the appointment announced before all contractual details were ironed out? These oversights point to a concerning lack of professionalism and thorough planning within the Federation.
The fallout from this debacle leaves the Super Eagles in a precarious position. With crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at hand, the team finds itself without a permanent head coach. The NFF was again forced to turn to the Federation’s Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen as a stop-gap measure, marking his fourth stint in temporary charge of the national team.
This revolving door of coaches has become an all-too-familiar pattern for Nigerian football. The departure of Jose Peseiro earlier this year after the last AFCON, followed by the brief tenure of Finidi George, had already created instability within the squad. The Labbadia fiasco only serves to exacerbate these issues, potentially derailing the team’s qualification campaigns for both AFCON and the World Cup.
Beyond the immediate sporting implications, this incident further erodes public trust in the NFF’s leadership. The Federation has a history of questionable decisions and premature announcements regarding coaching appointments. In 2016, they prematurely named Paul Le Guen as Technical Advisor, only for the Frenchman to reject the role citing unmet terms. A similar situation occurred in 2017 with American manager Randy Waldrum and the Super Falcons’ job.
These repeated missteps paint a picture of an organisation that struggles with basic professional standards and transparent communication. The NFF’s tendency to rush announcements before finalising details suggests a prioritisation of public relations over proper due diligence. This approach not only damages the Federation’s credibility but also potentially harms Nigeria’s ability to attract top coaching talent in the future.
To address these systemic issues, the NFF must undergo a serious internal review of its recruitment and negotiation processes. Greater transparency is needed throughout the hiring process, with clear communication to stakeholders about the criteria for selection and the progress of negotiations. The Federation should also consider bringing in external expertise to assist with contract negotiations and ensure all legal and financial implications are thoroughly understood before any commitments are made.
Additionally, the NFF must work to rebuild trust with both the Nigerian public and the international football community. This will require a concerted effort to professionalise operations, improve communication strategies, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to long-term planning and stability.
For the Super Eagles, the immediate focus must be on the upcoming AFCON qualifiers. Eguavoen, despite his familiarity with the team, faces a significant challenge in preparing the squad on short notice. The players will need to show mental fortitude to overcome the off-field distractions and focus on their on-pitch performance.
Looking ahead, the NFF must approach its next coaching search with far greater care and discretion. The Federation should prioritise finding a manager with both the tactical acumen and the cultural understanding to succeed with the Super Eagles. This may require looking beyond big names and considering candidates with proven track records in African football or experience developing talent in similar environments.
Ultimately, the Labbadia debacle serves as a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to professionalise Nigerian football administration. The passionate fans who support the Super Eagles deserve better than the constant cycle of managerial uncertainty and administrative blunders. Only through significant reform and a commitment to best practices can the NFF hope to restore faith in its leadership and provide the stability necessary for long-term success on the international stage.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the NFF can learn from this embarrassing episode and implement meaningful changes. Nigerian football has too much potential and too rich a history to be continually undermined by poor management. The Federation must rise to the challenge and provide the Super Eagles with the professional, competent leadership they require to soar once again.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
