Super Eagles: NANS ask NFF to reconsider Chelle’s appointment

Posted : 11 January 2025

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its decision to hire Éric Sékou Chelle, a former coach of the Malian senior team, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

In a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, the association described the appointment of the new Super Eagles tactician, who lacks an outstanding pedigree, as an aberration.

The NFF Executive Committee had announced Chelle as the new coach of the Super Eagles on Tuesday, January 7.

However, NANS criticized the appointment, describing it as a "slap on the country," stating that there are better and more experienced coaches, both in Nigeria and Europe.

The student body noted that since Chelle became the head coach of the Malian senior men's national team in 2022, he has failed to qualify the country for the World Cup or win the Africa Cup of Nations.

The association argued that there are several Nigerian coaches with better pedigrees and CVs than Chelle, urging the NFF to search for a coach locally if an African coach is their preferred choice.

NANS urged the NFF to reconsider its decision and look within the country when appointing a Nigerian or another coach from Europe as the Super Eagles head coach.

The student body also called on the NFF to groom more local coaches and encourage them by giving them national assignments instead of appointing a "half-baked coach" from Africa.

Parts of the statement read: “We all witnessed how the Malian National Team, the Aiglons, struggled, wobbled, and stumbled at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire.

“NANS, therefore, wonders why the NFF would choose such a person as the coach of the Super Eagles.

“The 47-year-old played for clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career, without any major achievements.

“As a nation, we need a coach who is tactical and experienced, someone who can harness and blend the talent we have in this country.

“We at NANS condemn this appointment as it falls short of the 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 to the position of Super Eagles coach.

“We seriously doubt whether 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 provide the country with a Super Eagles coach who will rekindle the country’s glory in soccer, both in Africa and on the global stage.”

Super Eagles: NANS ask NFF to reconsider Chelle’s appointment

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