By Ayomide Otitoju
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has defended the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, amidst widespread criticism from Nigerian football fans.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Dikko described Chelle as an exceptional coach with a proven track record in African football, notably with the Malian Eagles.
“Eric Chelle defeated the Super Eagles in a friendly match as Mali’s coach and has demonstrated a good understanding of African football. He is fit for the job,” Dikko stated.
Last week, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially announced Chelle’s appointment as the new coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team. This makes him the third person to take charge of the Super Eagles since the departure of Portuguese coach José Peseiro.
Fan Backlash
The decision to hire Chelle has drawn sharp criticism from some Nigerian sports enthusiasts, who argued that the position should have been given to a local coach rather than a former coach of Mali.
Dikko, however, dismissed the uproar as a common reaction to coaching appointments in Nigeria. “There has never been a coach appointed in this country without complaints,” he remarked. “Every Nigerian football lover considers themselves a coach, and everyone has their idea of who should be hired.”
Chelle’s Track Record
Dikko emphasized that Chelle’s experience in African football makes him uniquely suited for the role, particularly given the challenges of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“We are playing Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and Benin—fellow African countries. At this moment, we need someone with experience in African football,” he said.
Citing Chelle’s tenure with Mali, Dikko noted his impressive record: 22 games, 14 wins, five draws, and only three losses. Under Chelle’s leadership, Mali scored over 40 goals while conceding just 12, a balance Dikko described as a testament to his coaching philosophy.
“Eric made Mali a formidable team, defeating Nigeria and South Africa in friendly matches. Even in the last AFCON, he narrowly lost due to a last-minute mistake,” Dikko explained.
No Room for Trial Matches
Dikko stressed that with limited time before the World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles needed a coach who could hit the ground running. He argued that even high-profile managers like José Mourinho or Alex Ferguson would require time to adapt, a luxury Nigeria cannot afford.
“There are no friendly matches; it’s straight to competitive games. Eric has the experience, and his track record speaks for itself,” Dikko concluded.
Chelle’s appointment signals a high-stakes gamble for the Super Eagles as they prepare for a crucial World Cup qualifying campaign under the guidance of their new coach.
