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The recent appointment of Bruno Labbadia as the head coach of the Nigerian national team has generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians and also former players of the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Labbadia has been appointed as the new coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, replacing Finidi George who left his post two months ago after a poor showing in World Cup qualifying.
Their first assignment will be the AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic on September 7 in Uyo, followed by the second match of the series three days later, against Rwanda.
Speaking on the appointment of the 58-year-old, former Nigeria international Emma Okocha said the profile of the coach is one that should excite Nigerians as he prepares to begin his role in a few weeks.
“You have to look at it from the positive side,” said the 1990 African Cup of Nations activist. SportsBoom.com.
“This position has been long overdue, but we can only hope that the NFF has made the right choice with this appointment.”
“He is a well-exposed man [Labbadia] And if you look at his profile in the German teams he has managed previously, the Nigerians can be excited. He must remain calm and concentrate on the task he has been given. Of course, it will not be easy, if you look at the state of the team.
“Does he have the players to succeed? Definitely. He has everything he needs,” said the elder brother of the former Super Eagles captain, Austine Okocha.
However, he said the coach faces an uphill task to turn the team’s fortunes around instantly given the position they are currently in heading into the AFCON qualifiers.
“The only drawback to his appointment is that it comes at a time when the team desperately needs results, so his task is really difficult,” said the former SV Wehen midfielder.
“We have seen the team struggling recently after the last Africa Cup of Nations, so he will need to rebuild and repair a lot of things, which means he will need wins to become a man for the team and the fans.”
