A major crisis is looming large in the camp of the Nigeria Football Federation as pressure mounts on authorities of the glass house to reverse its appoint of former Malian Football team head coach, Eric Sekou Chelle as the substantive coach of the Super Eagles.
On Tuesday, NFF confirmed the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Matchdays 5 & 6) taking place in March.
Meanwhile, ahead of his official unveiling on Saturday January 11, 2025, there might be a looming problem following a statement from his current club, Mouloudia Club d’Oran, addressing the news of his new role.
The Algerian club announced via social media that it would hold an emergency meeting with Chelle to discuss his appointment as the Super Eagles coach. The outcome of the meeting, however, has left many Nigerian fans puzzled, as it offered little clarity about Chelle’s current position and his plans moving forward. Algerian club releases statement after NFF announces Chelle In a statement published on social media, the Algerian club Mouloudia Club d’Oran detailed that Malian tactician will continue in his role as head coach pending further evaluations and discussions.
“Eric Chelle will continue to perform his duties as head coach during this match,” the statement read. “Coach Chelle will supervise the team at the cup meeting as normal, the club management confirms.
“A final meeting has to be held after he returns to Oran for a decision on this matter.”
Similarly, Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have protested the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the substantive coach of the Super Eagles.
NANS held a protest at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta to register their displeasure, calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reverse the appointment with immediate effect.
Led by the clerk of the Senate, Abdul Yekinn Odunayo, NANS condemned the appointment and said it fell short of the expectations of Nigerians and football enthusiasts.
The students also threatened to embark on a nationwide protest to drive home their demand and called for the appointment of a better coach who tactical and can harness the abundant talents abound in the country.
