The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Augustine Eguavoen as the interim head coach of the Super Eagles for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. This decision follows the collapse of a deal with German coach Bruno Labbadia, due to insurmountable tax complications imposed by German authorities.
How Tax Regulations Derail NFF-Labbadia Agreement
The Nigeria Football Federation’s efforts to secure Bruno Labbadia as the head coach of the Super Eagles were thwarted by stringent German tax regulations.
According to NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the negotiations with Labbadia fell apart when the issue of German tax obligations arose. Labbadia had agreed in principle to take the reins of Nigeria’s national team, but the unforeseen demand for the NFF to cover an additional 32% to 40% of his salary in taxes made the deal unfeasible.
“We have been on the tax issue for the past three days, and I told him clearly that there was no way the NFF would agree to offset the concomitant tax percentage on his salary demanded by German tax authorities,” Gusau explained.
“The NFF and Mr Labbadia reached an agreement in principle, but the tax details were never part of our discussions. We simply cannot shoulder the responsibility of paying another significant sum on top of the agreed monthly wage.”
Despite the NFF’s best efforts to be flexible, Labbadia remained firm in his stance, ultimately leading to the collapse of the agreement.
Eguavoen Appointed 4th Time to Steer Super Eagles Through Crucial AFCON Qualifiers
In light of the failed negotiations, the NFF has appointed its Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, to lead the Super Eagles in the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifying matches. Eguavoen, a seasoned coach with extensive experience, will take charge for the fixtures against Benin Republic in Uyo on 7th September and Rwanda in Kigali on 10th September.
This marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint as head coach of the Super Eagles, having previously held the position from 2005 to 2007, in 2010, and most recently in 2022. His appointment is expected to bring stability and continuity to the team as they aim to secure their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Challenging Road Ahead Through the AFCON
The unexpected turn of events with Labbadia’s appointment highlights the complexities of international coaching agreements, particularly when tax laws are involved.
As Eguavoen steps into the role once again, he faces the challenge of guiding Nigeria’s national team through a crucial period in their AFCON campaign. With his wealth of experience and familiarity with the team, Eguavoen is well-positioned to lead the Super Eagles through the upcoming qualifiers and beyond.
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