After many months of speculations, intrigues and controversies, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made headlines with the appointment of German coach Bruno Labbadia to manage the senior national football team, the Super Eagles.
This decision comes at a critical juncture for the team, which is walking on a tight rope and with a crisis in performance, facing the looming threat of elimination from the qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Labbadia’s mandate is clear: to steer the Super Eagles towards qualifying for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco in late 2025, and ultimately to ensure Nigeria hoist her flag in the enlarged World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada in two year’s time.
The Super Eagles have long been regarded as one of Africa’s football powerhouses, boasting a rich history of success and a passionate fan base. However, recent performances have been disappointing, leading to the sacking of former coach Finidi George. The NFF’s decision to appoint Labbadia amidst pressure and blackmail from the Nigerian sporting press reflects a commitment to revitalizing the squad and restoring its competitive edge.
Labbadia, who has managed several clubs in the Bundesliga, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the team. His track record includes stints at clubs like VfB Stuttgart and Hertha BSC, where he demonstrated an ability to develop players and implement tactical innovations. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to inject new energy into the Super Eagles and address the team’s current shortcomings.
The Super Eagles currently find themselves at a crossroads, struggling in their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup. A combination of factors has contributed to this crisis. The team’s performance in recent qualifiers has been erratic, marked by a lack of cohesion and tactical discipline. Key players have underperformed, leading to disappointing results.
Injuries and Player Availability: The national team has faced challenges with player injuries, which have disrupted squad selection and affected team chemistry. The inability to field a consistent lineup has hindered the team’s progress.
Previous coaching strategies may have failed to adapt to the evolving dynamics of international football. A lack of innovative tactics has left the team vulnerable against more organized opponents. Therefore, Bruno Labbadia’s appointment signals a new direction for the Eagles, one that is characterized by a clear vision and focused objectives. His immediate goal is to qualify the team for the AFCON finals in Morocco, which will serve as a crucial platform for rebuilding the squad’s confidence and cohesion.
Labbadia is expected to implement a tactical overhaul, emphasizing a more disciplined and structured approach to the game. His experience in European football could help introduce modern training methods and strategies that resonate with the players’ strengths.
An important aspect of Labbadia’s role as the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic in Uyo and Rwanda in Kigali on September 7 and September 11 respectively will be to identify and nurture young talent within the squad. By fostering a competitive environment, he can motivate players to perform at their best and integrate emerging stars into the team.
Establishing a strong team spirit will be paramount for Labbadia. He will need to foster relationships among players, ensuring that they work cohesively on and off the pitch. Team-building exercises and open communication can facilitate this process.
Qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations is the immediate priority for the Super Eagles, Labbadia’s coaching staff will need to conduct thorough analyses of upcoming opponents, devising game plans that exploit weaknesses while reinforcing the team’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
While the immediate focus is on AFCON 2025, Labbadia’s vision for the Super Eagles extends to the 2026 World Cup. Building a competitive squad that can perform on the global stage will require strategic planning. Identifying talented players both domestically and internationally will be crucial. Labbadia must work closely with scouts to ensure that the best talents are integrated into the national team setup.
For the long-term, establishing a long-term development plan for Nigerian football can help cultivate a new generation of players. Thus, collaborating with local clubs and academies will enhance the footballing structure in the country.
Though, some football analysts and fans have criticised the appointment of Bruno Labbadia as the head coach of the Super Eagles owing to his not-so-impressive managerial spell recently at the German Bundesliga side, VfB Stuttgart, where he was sacked in April 2023 after four months in charge when his team slipped to 18th place in the topflight, winning just one in 11 Bundesliga games. Despite, the rough patch in Stuttgart, Labbadia remains a very decent coach. His track records at the top management level speak for itself. He has coached famous teams like Hertha Berlin, Stuttgart (twice), VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is considered one of the most experienced and respected managers in German football.
Also, Labbadia is known for his tactical acumen and ability to improve teams’ defensive solidity. He has achieved promotion to the Bundesliga with Darmstadt 98 and Greuther Fürth and has also led teams to European qualification. His managerial style is characterized by tactical flexibility, high-pressing, disciplined defending and quick counter-attacks.
In his playing days, Labbadia is a prolific goalscorer. He scored 103 goals in 328 Bundesliga games throughout his career. He won the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) in 1989-90 with FC Kaiserslautern and the Bundesliga in 1993-94 with FC Bayern Munich. He was also capped twice for the German national team.
With the Eagles facing a crisis and the pressure to qualify for major tournaments, I believe Labbadia’s experience and leadership will be instrumental in navigating these challenges. And given the right atmosphere and conducive environment, he has the potential and ability to revitalize the Super Eagles and restore their status as a formidable force in African football.
Some analysts have pointed out that Labbadia has never worked in Africa and lacks vast knowledge of African football, which is one of the prerequisites earlier listed by the NFF for this appointment. But that could not be a yardstick for success. Remember, a relatively unknown Clemens Westerhof had no vast knowledge and experience of African football when late Pa Chuba Ikpeazu-led NFA Board appointed him as Super Eagles Technical Adviser in 1989 – and yet he was a huge success with our national team.
To revitalize the Eagles, I think Labbadia will reel out tactical changes in several key areas to enhance team performance. Some specific adjustments he might implement include formation flexibility as he may potentially shift between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3, allowing for adaptability based on the opponent. This flexibility can help the team better control the midfield and exploit wide areas.
Secondly, Labbadia is likely to emphasize stronger defensive organization, with a focus on compactness, like we saw at the last AFCON with Jose Paseiro’s Eagles. This will ensure the team maintains a compact shape to limit spaces for opponents. Also, under Labbadia, the Eagles will likely adopt a coordinated pressing strategy and system to win back possession quickly and disrupt the opponent’s buildup.
Thirdly, Labbadia may prioritize a more dynamic midfield with players capable of both defending and initiating attacks. This could involve box-to-box midfielders who can support both defense and attack, ensuring fluid transitions.
The German tactician may encourage the use of width in attack, Labbadia and focus on inverted wingers who can cut inside to create goal-scoring opportunities while full-backs provide overlapping support. He may employ a set-piece strategy to improve set-piece execution.
Labbadia might redefine player roles to maximize their strengths, focusing on assigning specific tasks based on players’ skill sets, such as defensive duties for certain midfielders or creative responsibilities for forwards, and encouraging experienced players to take on leadership roles to guide younger teammates.
Given Nigeria’s pacey attackers, Labbadia may implement a counter-attacking strategy, allowing the team to exploit spaces left by opponents when they overcommit in attack.
Under Bruno Labbadia’s tactical changes, several players in the Eagles are likely to thrive, given their skills and attributes, while some will lose their places in the team.
As a dynamic striker, Victor Osimhen’s pace and aerial ability makes him a perfect fit for Labbadia’s attacking strategies. But he must refine his attitude and improve his discipline if he’s to thrive in the new system.
Also, the quartet of Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho are in danger of losing their spots in the new Eagles as their national team form has dipped lately.
However, I expect to see players like Frank Onyeka, an energetic midfielder thrive under a more dynamic tactical approach that requires both defensive responsibilities.
Alhassan Yusuf and Dele Bashiru are both talented players who could blossom under Bruno Labbadia’s tactical changes for the Eagles.
A versatility midfielder, Yusuf’s ability to play both defensively and offensively allows him to fit into various midfield roles. This adaptability can be crucial in a flexible formation. His composure on the ball and passing range make him an effective connector between defense and attack, aligning well with Labbadia’s focus on midfield control.
Additionally, Yusuf’s high work rate and stamina enable him to contribute both in defensive duties and in supporting attacks, which is essential for a dynamic midfield setup.
Dele Bashiru’s creativity and vision can help unlock defenses, making him an ideal candidate for a more attacking midfield role. His ability to create chances fits well with Labbadia’s emphasis on offensive play.
His dribbling and technical proficiency allow him to navigate tight spaces and maintain possession, which can be critical in a midfield that aims to control the game. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which can invigorate the squad and complement more experienced players, enhancing team dynamics.
