Olusegun Ariyo
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has knocked the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, over its decision to hire 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, described the appointment of the new Super Eagles tactician without any outstanding pedigree is an aberration.
The NFF Executive Committee announced Chelle as the new coach of the Super Eagles on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025.
However, NANS faulted the appointment, describing it as a “slap on the country,” saying there are better and more experienced coaches in Nigeria and Europe.
The student body noted that Chelle, since he became the Head Coach of the Malian senior male national team in 2022, has not qualified the country for the World Cup or won the African Cup of Nations.
The association contended 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 into appointing a Nigerian or any other person in Europe as the Super Eagles coach.
The student body also tasked 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 said, “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 any laurel.
“As a nation, we need a coach who 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 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 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 on the global stage.”
