Julius OkorieThe job of ex-international, Austin Eguavoen, as interim coach of the Super Eagles came to abrupt end on Tuesday night, following the appointment of Malian Éric Sékou Chelle as new coach of the Nigerian national team.
The decision, approved by the NFF Executive Committee on January 7, 2025, followed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee during a meeting held in Abuja earlier in the month. One of the mandates given to Éric Chelle, a Malian and former coach of the Malian national team is to qualify Eagles for the 2026 World Cup in United States and Canada.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelÉric Chelle appointment has however triggered off a lot of reactions from Nigerians over the suitability of the new coach and his ability to deliver after what some dubbed not too impressive run with the Eagles of Mali.
WIZZ POLL @WIZZ_POLL reacting to the appointment said: “The foreign coach Nigeria hired to rescue our World Cup qualifier campaign is a Malian sacked by Mali after he lost 2-1 to Ghana in this same 2026 World Cup qualifiers! You can’t make this up! Can whoever made this decision just resign before Friday?
READ ALSO: NFF Appoints Éric Chelle As Head Coach Of Super Eagles
Waheed Adebayo @odunadebayo on his part had this to say “I am disappointed in the NFF. What can he do, that Eguavon & co. can’t do. Is Mali better than Nigeria in terms of fb development? What has Eric achieved in fb, Africa precisely. You can’t provide necessary assistance to ur people, but, you want to provide for others.”
Fakeye Ahmed Olamide @fakeyeahmed apparently not interested in the use of many words decided instead to flash Éric’s Coaching Career:
⚽️ Appointed head coach of US Boulogne in May 2021.
❌ Dismissed in December 2021 after a tough 10-game streak.
🌍 Took charge of Mali’s national team in 2022.
❌ Dismissed on June 13, 2024.
🇳🇬 Appointed by Nigeria’s NFF on January 7, 2025, Say No More.”
Gwex @Gwex in his own submission asked ” What are you people doing. What are you people doing, do you know how crucial this World Cup qualifier is for us. Like what are you guys doing for real? Take 1 step forward and 2 steps backward 🤦🏻♂️ Eguavoen would have been the best option.”
Nwa-Maazi 🇺🇸 🇳🇬 @SpiceyMall57010 however backed the NFF on the choice of Éric Chelle saying “I know he’s remembered mostly for his memes, but anyone who watched the Malian team he coached at the last AFCON would confirm he made them play exciting football. I say this is a solid choice by the NFF.”
More reactions followed with OSLO, Ph.D.@SultanLuqman saying “I suppose this is going with what the NFF can afford.”
Certainly, a huge downgrade; we could have simply retained the consortium of Nigerian gaffers. The Super Eagles job is bigger than this guy.”
Ugodboz @obinna_ugo60837 however advised Nigerians to forget about the World Cup when he said “🤦🏽🤦🏽🤦🏽 These guys always embarrassing Nigeria. Check this guy’s records and explain to me what on earth informed the decision of this your Yeye committee. How do they even select coaches. Tell me which super eagles player would respect this guy? Let’s forget the World Cup.”
The NFF has however expressed confidence in Chelle’s ability to steer the Super Eagles back on track. His immediate task will be to secure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with crucial Matchday 5 and 6 qualifiers scheduled for March.
Austin Eguavoen who is still recuperating after a successful surgery in Belgium successfully led Eagles to qualify for the next AFCON in Morocco in the course of overseeing the Eagles. His tenure saw the team qualify for the continental fiesta even with a game to spare thus saving Nigerians from the usual permutations over the chances of Eagles qualifying viz a viz performance of other opponents in the group.
Recall that Nigeria failed to qualify for the last World Cup held in Qatar after failing to survive a two legged playoff against Ghana. Die-hard lovers of the game are hoping that Nigeria will pick a ticket for the next World Cup in 2026, should that fail to happen, the Eagles would have missed back to back show at the World Cup considered the apogee of soccer competition.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
