Eric Chelle: 2 reasons Sam Sodje opposes Super Eagles, U-23 dual role

Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has criticised the decision to hand Eric Chelle responsibility for both the Super Eagles and the Olympic Eagles.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) agreed in June that the Franco-Malian tactician would oversee the country’s senior and U-23 teams as part of a plan to create a pathway for young players, while maintaining the same philosophy as the Super Eagles.

However, Sodje is the latest ex-player to question whether one coach can adequately manage two national teams.

Speaking to Brila, the former Leeds United defender described the proposal as a mistake, insisting that Nigeria should appoint a dedicated coach for the Olympic Eagles rather than divide Chelle’s attention.

Why Sam Sodje is against Eric Chelle having a dual role

1. Lack of concentration on the Super Eagles

Sodje’s first concern is that the Super Eagles need all of Chelle’s attention, especially after their struggles in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last month.

“I can’t imagine anywhere in the world where you have the same manager at the same time managing the national team and managing the Olympic team, especially when it comes to Nigeria right now, when the Super Eagles are struggling to qualify for the AFCON,” the 47-year-old said in quotes revealed by Sport 247.

The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar before suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau.

With Nigeria now needing a victory in the upcoming double-header against Tanzania, Sodje believes the team cannot afford any distraction from its head coach.

What’s worse is that the Super Eagles and Olympic Eagles have their November games on the same day; it is currently unknown how Chelle will handle both teams.

“He shouldn’t be juggling both the Super Eagles and the Olympic side. He should be concentrating on the Super Eagles at the moment,” the five-cap Super Eagles star continued.

With the matches taking place in different countries, Chelle cannot oversee both teams from the touchline. The NFF must therefore establish who will lead the Olympic Eagles during the overlapping fixtures.

Although additional technical staff and assistants are expected to support the arrangement, Sodje believes the senior team should remain the coach’s priority.

2. Nigeria need a dedicated coach for the Olympic Eagles

Sodje also believes Nigeria have other young and capable coaches who can take charge of the U-23 side without requiring Chelle’s input to manage both teams.

“We’ve got so many young managers out there who can do a job,” he said.

The Olympic Eagles are working on qualification for the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which is the pathway towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Nigeria have missed the last two Olympic men’s football tournaments, making the current campaign an opportunity to rebuild the team.

Sodje recalled Nigeria’s historic 1996 Olympic triumph, when the Dream Team won gold in Atlanta, to underline the importance of the U-23 side.

“We know how important the under-23 side is, the Olympic team, talking about the ’96 squad, the Dream Boys, who gave us the joy of football,” the ex-Reading defender added.

A dedicated U-23 coach, Sodje argues, would allow the Olympic Eagles to receive focused preparation while Chelle concentrates on the senior team.

“Definitely, it’s a ridiculous idea to have the same manager manage both the Super Eagles and the Olympic side,” Sodje concluded.

The NFF’s challenge is to ensure that there are no overlapping fixtures between the Super Eagles and the Olympic Eagles.