Former Lens defender Éric Sékou Chelle has officially been named the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, ushering in what many hope will be a transformative era for the team.
Chelle, 47, brings a mix of experience from both his playing days in French football and his managerial stints, which include coaching the Malian national team.
His immediate focus will be on Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the Super Eagles face pivotal matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
Divided opinions among Super Eagles fans
The announcement of Eric Chelle’s appointment has sparked a wave of reactions from fans and pundits, many of whom expressed disappointment over the timing and choice of coach.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), some Nigerians voiced their disapproval.
There were also debates about the wisdom of hiring an African coach, with critics arguing that if the NFF was going to hire a foreign manager, they should have sought one from Europe or South America.
Others, however, defended Chelle’s appointment, citing his tactical acumen and work as Mali coach.
A rocky introduction
Chelle’s tenure begins under immense scrutiny, with many recalling a comical yet telling moment from his managerial past.
During Mali’s elimination by Côte d’Ivoire in the quarterfinals of the 2023 AFCON, Chelle famously broke down in tears at the final whistle, prompting his coaching staff to pour cold water on his head to calm him down.
While his appointment has been met with skepticism, there is hope that Chelle can rise above the criticism and guide the Super Eagles to success.
Whether he can silence his doubters and deliver remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Eric Chelle’s era with the Super Eagles will not lack drama.
