The appointment of Bruno Labbadia as the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria has received a huge endorsement from a rival during his playing days in the German Bundesliga, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Labbadia was appointed as the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, replacing Finidi George who left his role as coach of the team two months ago after a poor performance in the world cup qualifiers.
His first assignment will be in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda on the 7th and 10th of September respectively. Starting with a home tie in Uyo, already he has approved the 23 man list drafted by the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Austine Eguavoen before his engagement as coach.
Looking at the appointment of the coach former Nigeria international striker Jonathan Akpoborie who spent the major part of his career in the German Bundesliga around the same time, as when the new coach was also playing termed his appointment as a major upgrade on past coaches of the team.
“He’s a modern-day coach, the system has to support the coach, we have to support him and the NFF have to give this man everything he needs to improve our team.”
“Labbadia was a prolific striker in his playing days and we enjoyed a healthy rivalry,” Akpoborie said in a radio interview monitored by our editorial staff.
“He is also a well-known coach, who is an upgrade on the coaches who have handled our national team. He’s up there, I am happy they have got a coach of that calibre”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
