Opinion: Why the NFF’s Appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as Super Eagles Coach is a Huge Misstep
By Isaac Zaza
The decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under Ibrahim Musa Gusau’s leadership to appoint Éric Sékou Chelle as the head coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, is not only disappointing but appears to be a step backward for Nigerian football. The appointment raises many questions about the NFF’s commitment to progress, its evaluation process, and its treatment of homegrown coaches like Augustine Eguavoen, Daniel Ogunmodede, and Fidelis Ilechukwu, who have demonstrated competence and passion for the national team.
*Éric Sékou Chelle’s Underwhelming Record*
Let’s consider Chelle’s record as head coach of Mali:
He was appointed in May 2022.
His best achievement with the Malian team was a quarterfinal exit at the 2023 African Nations Cup.
In the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Mali under Chelle managed:
1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses in 4 games.
Not only did Mali underperform, but Chelle was also sacked after losing 2-1 to a Ghana team that is arguably one of the weakest African sides in recent years, coupled with a draw against Madagascar. If Chelle could not inspire results with Mali, why is he being trusted to lead Nigeria, a country with higher footballing expectations and talent pools?
*Betrayal of Nigerian Coaches*
The appointment of a foreign coach with such a questionable track record feels like a slap in the face to Nigerian coaches who have repeatedly shown potential. Augustine Eguavoen, for instance, took over the team during a crisis, steadied the ship, and gave Nigerians hope, albeit on short notice.
The recent performances of the CHAN Eagles under Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu were a breath of fresh air. These homegrown tacticians displayed football reminiscent of the Super Eagles’ golden era in the 1990s. However, instead of building on this momentum and trusting them with the senior team, the NFF has opted for a foreign coach who has yet to prove himself.
*A Recurring Mistake*
This cycle of hiring underwhelming foreign coaches, paying them exorbitant wages, and watching them fail is becoming a tiresome trend in Nigerian football. When they inevitably fail, the NFF turns to homegrown caretakers like Eguavoen to clean up the mess, only to discard them again.
It’s disheartening that the NFF consistently overlooks the growth and development of Nigerian coaches in favor of foreigners who add little to no value. What message does this send to promising coaches like Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu? That no matter how good they are, they will always play second fiddle to foreign coaches, regardless of merit?
*What’s the Endgame?*
The primary goal for Nigerian football is clear: World Cup qualification. The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup still stings. Nigerians are desperate for redemption, but is Chelle the man to lead this charge? His record with Mali suggests otherwise.
What’s worse, his arrival means he will likely bring in his assistants, sidelining the progress made by Nigerian coaches. This not only disrupts the team’s cohesion but also stalls the growth of local coaching talents.
*Time to Prioritize “Our Own”*
Nigerians deserve a team and a technical bench they can rally behind. Football is more than just a game in Nigeria; it’s a source of national pride. Sticking with Augustine Eguavoen and his homegrown assistants would have been a better decision. They understand the players, the fans, and the unique challenges of Nigerian football.
This decision by the NFF is not just a poor judgment; it’s a betrayal of the trust and passion of Nigerian fans and coaches. If Chelle fails, as his record suggests he might, it will only confirm what many already suspect: that the NFF prioritizes foreign names over local talent, no matter how undeserving those names are.
It’s time to break this cycle and show faith in Nigerian coaches who have the skills, passion, and understanding to bring success back to the Super Eagles. Until then, this appointment, in my opinion, will remain one of the most disappointing decisions in Nigerian football history.
