EXCL: “It will set us back” — Ex-Strasbourg star warns NFF over Eric Chelle and Super Eagles job

Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has thrown his weight behind head coach Eric Chelle, Afrik Foot reports.

Okpara warned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against making another managerial change amid growing speculation over the Malian’s future.

Chelle has been linked to national team jobs in countries such as Tunisia and Algeria following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

They also follow the recent confirmation by the National Sports Commission (NSC) that extending Chelle’s contract is now part of its 2026 agenda.

Okpara backs Chelle, urges NFF to maintain stability

Speaking in an interview with Afrik Foot, Okpara expressed shock at suggestions that the Super Eagles might consider moving on from Chelle.

The former Standard Liège defender revealed that stability is crucial for the team’s progress.

“I’m surprised by what I’m hearing right now. We shouldn’t even be talking about this.

Changing the coach is not the way forward. This is the same problem we had before, and it cost us a World Cup,” Okpara said to Afrik Foot.

The former international stressed that Chelle’s recent achievements should earn him more trust than doubt, citing Nigeria’s strong showing at AFCON 2025 as evidence of progress.

“You have a coach who finished third in Africa, and now you’re talking about replacing him. Whatever he wants, the NFF should try their best to give it to him because he is the right coach,” he added.

Okpara also pointed out the growing understanding between Chelle and his players. He further argues that appointing a new coach would only disrupt the team’s momentum.

“There is a clear understanding between him and the players, and you can see it. Bringing in another coach means starting all over again, and that would be a big setback for us.”

Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles contract

The debate over Chelle’s future intensified after reports that he and his entourage recently held a closed-door meeting with NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko in Abuja, in an earlier report by Soccernet NG.

The meeting is believed to have centred on his future with the Super Eagles, with a possible contract extension among the main talking points.

Earlier, the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, had disclosed to Footy-Africa that renewing Chelle’s deal is already on the commission’s to-do list for 2026.

“We have a list of many things we want to achieve in 2026, and extending Chelle’s contract is also on that list. He’s not going anywhere because he’s happy here,” Olopade said.

Okpara questioned the logic behind any move to replace the coach, noting that Chelle himself has not expressed any intention to leave.

“He has not said he wants to leave. So why are we talking about changing the coach? We need to ask ourselves, ‘What kind of coach do we want now?’” he said.

With interest from other countries growing and talks ongoing at the Sports Commission, the coming weeks could prove decisive for Chelle’s long-term future.

However, Afrik Foot understands that talks between the NSC and Chelle have made positive progress, and a decision between the two parties will be made soon.