Reconsider Chelle’s Appointment, NANS Tells NFF

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Latest Headlines, Sports News Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has kicked against the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, concerning its decision to appoint a former coach of the Malian senior team, Éric Sékou Chelle, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

NANS in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, on Wednesday, stated that the appointment of the new Super Eagles tactician who has no previous outstanding pedigree is an aberration.

It is worth recalling that the NFF Executive Committee had on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, stated that Chelle is the new coach of the Super Eagles.

Reacting, NANS faulted the appointment, as it described it as a “slap on the country” as there are better and more experienced coaches, both in Nigeria and Europe.

The statement partly read: “We all witnessed how the Malian National Team, the Aiglons, struggled, wobbled and stumbled at the 2024 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

“NANS, therefore, wonders why the NFF will go for such a person as the coach of the Super Eagles.

“The 47-year-old featured for clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career, without no laurel.

“As a nation, we need a coach that is versed and tactical, who can harness and blend the talents we parade in this country.

“We at NANS condemn this appointment as it falls short of standards our nation is known for, especially in the round leather game. Rather than giving Nigeria a half-baked or run-of-the-mill coach, the NFF can do better by appointing a Nigerian into the position of the coach of the Super Eagles.

“We seriously doubt if Chelle can secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, a major mandate given to him by the NFF.

“We call on the football federation to reconsider this appointment and give the country a Super Eagles coach that will rekindle the country’s glory in the game of soccer, both in Africa and at the global stage.”