The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Bruno Labbadia’s highly anticipated appointment as head coach of the Super Eagles has been cancelled due to complications with German tax regulations. The recent development has forced the NFF to shift plans, appointing Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen as the interim head coach for the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

In a statement released on Friday, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau explained that the sticking point in Labbadia’s appointment was the hefty tax obligation demanded by German authorities. According to Gusau, the NFF had not accounted for an additional 32% to 40% of the coach’s salary in taxes, which proved too large a burden for the federation to absorb.

“We’ve been negotiating over this issue for the past three days,” said Gusau. “Unfortunately, we cannot afford to pay the full tax percentage that the German tax authorities are asking for on top of his salary. It simply wasn’t part of the original agreement, and after numerous discussions, we had no choice but to walk away from the deal.”

Augustine Eguavoen steps In

With Labbadia’s deal falling apart, the NFF quickly turned to a familiar face: Augustine Eguavoen. The former Nigerian defender, who has managed the Super Eagles on three previous occasions, will now take charge of the team for their AFCON qualifying matches against Benin on September 7 in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10 in Kigali.

Eguavoen’s return marks his fourth stint leading the Nigerian national team, having served as head coach between 2005 and 2007, in 2010, and most recently in 2022. He has in-depth knowledge of Nigerian football and experience playing in high-pressure situations. Eguavoen’s appointment is expected to bring stability to the team as they focus on securing their spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament as Nigerian betting fans are betting on their qualification sport in AFCON. Betting on AFCON will undoubtedly be a major activity, and betting fans can maximise their experience by using the promo code for 1xbet to make the most of the upcoming matches.

Challenges ahead for Eguavoen

Eguavoen’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles through these vital qualifying games. Nigeria is favoured to top their group, which includes Benin, Rwanda, and Libya. However, Eguavoen’s challenge lies in galvanising a team that has experienced instability recently, with multiple managerial changes and fluctuating form.

The Super Eagles have a proud history in African football, having won the AFCON three times, but the team has been searching for consistency since missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

The upcoming qualifiers allow Nigeria to reestablish its dominance on the continent and reassure its passionate fanbase of its competitive standing.

Replacing Finidi George

Eguavoen replaces former Nigerian footballer Finidi George, who had been in charge of the Super Eagles for a brief period earlier in the year. George’s time at the helm saw mixed results, and the decision to move forward with another foreign coach indicates the NFF’s desire for a fresh direction. 

Nigeria’s football history is filled with foreign managerial appointments, some of whom have found success while others have struggled to meet the nation’s high expectations.

Among those who have taken on the challenge are former World Cup winner Berti Vogts, Serbian manager Bora Milutinovic, and Brazilian coach Otto Gloria. Labbadia is now tasked with navigating the pressures of coaching one of Africa’s most successful football nations, a role often fraught with challenges beyond the pitch, including demanding fans and administrative issues.

World Cup hopes hang in the balance

While Eguavoen’s immediate focus will be on AFCON qualification, his true test begins next year when Nigeria resumes its World Cup qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles have had a difficult start, failing to win any of their first four games in the African qualification process. Currently sitting fifth in their group, with six games remaining, Nigeria faces an uphill battle to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Despite their struggles, Nigeria boasts a proud footballing history, winning the AFCON three times and qualifying for six of the last eight World Cups. However, missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was a significant blow, and Eguavoen will be expected to avoid a similar fate during his tenure. The task ahead is daunting, but Nigeria has the talent and the footballing pedigree to turn their fortunes around under his leadership.

Final thoughts

As Eguavoen takes charge, the focus now shifts back to the immediate task of AFCON qualification. While the NFF had high hopes for Labbadia, the federation is confident that Eguavoen’s experience will help steer the Super Eagles to success in the upcoming matches.

Though Labbadia’s tenure never began, the expectations remain high for Nigeria’s football team. Eguavoen’s leadership, combined with the team’s talent, will be tested as they look to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON and restore their standing as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.