The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will later today unveil Bruno Labbadia as the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria ahead of the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively.
Expected in Nigeria later today, Labbadia will first lead the team against Benin Republic on the 7th in Uyo before travelling to play Rwanda three days later.
His appointment was announced by the NFF three days ago, but some key details were missing in the official press release made by the football house and it includes length of his contract, and the key performance index (KPI) that will keep him in the job .
Sources say the NFF want to offer him a ten months deal tied to an extension based on getting to the semi final of the next AFCON, but it could be terminated if he fails to make it to the tournament via the qualifiers. This was contained in the proposal sent to the coach.
Another issue that is yet to be resolved is the aspect of the wages of his assistants, whom we are meant to believe will be three in number and it will include a physical trainer, a match analyst and his first assistant. In the past the NFF placed national team assistant coaches on allowances and bonuses and not monthly payments like the head coach.
Finally is the issue of his accomodation. While the NFF are keen on having him live and work in Nigeria, Labbadia wants to operate from Europe as it will be easy for him to meet, scout and interact with coaches of the teams where his players are, and even the players themselves.
