Former Super Eagles star Jonathan Akpoborie has backed new coach Bruno Labbadia to qualify Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup despite the precarious position they find themselves in the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles languish second from bottom and are four points adrift of front runners Rwanda, South Africa and Benin after four rounds of matches.
“When the chemistry between the coach and the players comes together we will qualify for the World Cup,” predicted the former Nigeria international.
“He’s a modern-day coach, the system has to support the coach, we have to support him and the NFF have to give this man everything he needs to improve our team.”
Akpoborie, who played most of his career in the German Bundesliga, has fully backed Labbadia to deliver for the Super Eagles.
“He was a prolific striker in his playing days and we enjoyed a healthy rivalry,” he said on a radio interview.
“He is also a well-known coach, who is an upgrade on the coaches who have handled our national team. He’s up there, I am happy they have got a coach of that calibre.”
He continued: “Tactically he is up there, he is not one of the best in Germany but he’s up there compared to the European coaches who have handled the Super Eagles.
“He will handle our national team for a very long time.”