The Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen will take charge of the Super Eagles once again after a deal between the NFF and German coach Bruno Labbadia fell through due to a failed agreement over tax payment obligations.

The NFF had reached an agreement in principle with Labbadia to take over as the head coach of Nigeria’s national team.

However, Labbadia’s request for the NFF to pay a 32% to 40% tax of his salary to thr German government, led to the collapse of the deal.

NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau explained, “We were doing our best to be flexible in the discussions, but he was adamant that the NFF had to pay the full tax amount as well. We simply cannot do that.”

As a result, Eguavoen, the NFF’s Technical Director, will step in to manage the team for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic on September 7th in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10th in Kigali.

This marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint as head coach of the Super Eagles, having previously led the team from 2005 to 2007, in 2010, and in 2022.