3 months ago
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Atlanta ’96 gold medallist, Abiodun Obafemi, has called on Nigerians and football enthusiasts to support German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the Super Eagles prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the 58-year-old as the new head coach of the three-time African champions following Finidi George’s departure from the saddle in June.
Labbadia is faced with the task of securing desirable results in next month’s AFCON qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda but has seen his appointment criticised by several Nigerians, who questioned his credentials.
Obafemi has urged fans to rally around the new Eagles coach ahead of their first game against the Republic of Benin on September 7.
“Usually, Nigerians are more concerned about the progress of football in the country, and I think we should be happy for once because we have been clamouring for a coach.
“We’ve been hard on the NFF for doing nothing because there was no coach for a while, and now they’ve gotten us one, and I think the best thing to do is rally around him and support him. Let’s see what happens because we have to judge him with his performance, but before then we just need to come together and support the coach and the NFF.
“That doesn’t mean if they fail to do what they are supposed to do, we won’t come hard on them; we will because we are supposed to keep them on their feet.”
He added, “Our paths once crossed in the German Bundesliga, and the Labbadia that I know is a very disciplined man; he was a fantastic footballer during his days, and he is not someone that you can hold to any controversy. I may not know much about him as a coach, but with his pedigree as a player and the calibre of teams that he has handled, I know that he will do well.
“The only disadvantage is that he may not have knowledge of African football, but with a good assistant who understands our games, he will get the results, but I will urge Nigerians to support him and let’s see what he will do.”
Labbadia, the sixth German coach to manage the Eagles, will begin his reign as the Eagles coach when Nigeria host the Beninoise Cheetahs on September 7 before taking on Rwanda three days later on the road.
