The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticized the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle, former coach of the Malian senior national team, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
In a statement signed by Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, on Wednesday, the student body urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reconsider its decision, describing Chelle’s appointment as an “aberration” and a “slap on the country.
The NFF Executive Committee announced Chelle’s appointment on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. However, NANS expressed dissatisfaction, noting that Chelle’s track record does not meet the standard required to manage Nigeria’s national team.
The student body noted that Chelle, since he became the Head Coach of Malian senior male national team in 2022, did not qualify the country for the World Cup or win the African Cup of Nations.
NANS urged the NFF to reconsider its decision and look within in 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 assignment 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 no laurel.
“As a nation, we need a coach that 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 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 into 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 at the global stage.”
