Eguavoen to coach super Eagles against Benin and Rwanda

Augustine Eguavoen, a former player and Technical Director of the Super Eagles, has been named by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the team’s head coach for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin Republic. Following the sudden resignation of German coach Bruno LabBadia, this decision was made Prior to this week, LabBadia was announced as Finidi George’s replacement but unsolved concerns with German tax regulations are said to have prevented him from accepting the role.

These tax issues were the primary barrier to completing the deal, the NFF said late Friday via a statement on X. According to NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, “We have been discussing taxes for the last three days, and I made it very evident to him that the NFF would not consent to deduct the accompanying tax percentage on his salary that the German tax authorities would require.” We are unable to pay him an additional sum of money, ranging from 32 to 40 percent of his compensation, once the agreed-upon monthly wage has been paid.

Before we announced that Mr. Labbadia will take over as head coach of the Super Eagles, the NFF and him came to a principled agreement. He had personally approved all agreements prior to the tax issue arising, thus the tax facts were never discussed with me. Although we tried to be accommodating during the conversation, he insisted that the NFF also have to pay the entire tax amount. We are just unable to accomplish it. For the forthcoming qualifiers, the NFF has selected a 23-man roster. Victor Osimhen of Napoli, Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest, and interim captain William Troost-Ekong are among the players who are making their comebacks from lengthy injury absences.