Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment of German compatriot Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach of Nigeria’s national team.

Rohr, who led the Super Eagles from 2016 to 2020, guided the team to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and played and qualified the team for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Rohr’s tenure was cut short just before the World Cup playoffs and the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon. 

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF decided to part ways with him in late 2021 under mounting pressure. Since then, Nigeria has experienced a whirlwind of coaching changes.

Jose Peseiro took over after AFCON, following Augustine Eguavoen’s interim spell and after Peseiro’s contract expired following AFCON in February, Finidi George took over the wheel but would only manage two games before announcing his resignation. 

As the Super Eagles prepare for their upcoming match against Benin in Uyo on September 7, Gernot Rohr has shared his thoughts on Labbadia’s appointment, praising him and expressing anticipation for what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

“Bruno Labbadia is a very good coach. Congrats to the Super Eagles for finding such a coach. 

I hope he will be well treated by the NFF and Nigerian football fans. He had a lot of experience from Bundesliga, this is the first that is coming now in the national team but he will quickly find his way and the kind of work which is a little bit different to adapt himself to the environment in Nigeria.” Rohr said 

“He will have his first match in Uyo against Benin Republic, we will meet very soon. Like me also my first match was in Uyo in 2016 and it was a very nice place. We are happy to see him to this wonderful team who has the best players all over West Africa so it will be a wonderful match”

“I wish him all the best but not against us.”

Super Eagles Seek Redemption Against Benin

The Super Eagles face Benin Republic with a strong desire for revenge. Their last encounter in the World Cup qualifiers at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny ended in a surprising 2-1 defeat against Gernot Rohr who is now the coach of Benin Republic. 

Now the team seems eager for redemption, with Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi both expressing their anticipation for the upcoming match in Uyo.

“To be honest, it’s not where we want to be, so we have to regroup and correct some mistakes, then go all in those matches; we definitely need the win. They had their win in Abidjan; we see what happens in Uyo,” Leicester City midfielder Ndidi said via Super Eagles’ social media accounts

Iwobi, who has been a key player for Fulham this season scoring a goal in their win against Leicester City added, 

“We have a lot to prove. I always say we have a lot of quality in the team, and hopefully we can get the points we need to qualify because it’s something we want to achieve

A Crucial Test for the New Coach

There will be much at stake on September 7, as the players look to regain Nigerian football fans’ trust with a strong performance and a crucial win. 

This match will also be important for setting the stage before their rematch with Benin in the World Cup qualifiers next year, where the Super Eagles currently sit fifth in the table.

The new coach will make his debut, and what better way to start than by securing a victory against Benin? A win would send a positive message to fans and the NFF, affirming that appointing Labbadia might have been the right choice.