The appointment of Éric Chelle, former Mali head coach and ex-manager of clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, as the new head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Chelle’s appointment on Tuesday, making him the third man to lead the national team since Jose Peseiro resigned in March 2024.
In confirming the news, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that Chelle would immediately take charge of the home-based Super Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, where Nigeria will compete against 17 other countries from February 1 to 28.
Chelle has also been tasked with securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the Super Eagles currently sitting in fifth place in their qualifying group ahead of the next round of matches in March.
Although Chelle has achieved some success in his career—earning five caps as a player for Mali and coaching the national team since 2022—his tenure has not been without criticism.
His most notable setback was Mali’s 2-1 extra-time loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals, which led many Nigerians to question his suitability for the Super Eagles job.
However, some fans have praised Chelle for his tactical approach and near-success at AFCON, where his team came close to reaching the semifinals before conceding a last-minute goal against Ivory Coast.
Since his appointment, Chelle has been trending on social media, with a resurfaced video of him being doused with water after the AFCON loss to Ivory Coast fueling online debates.
Another talking point is his background. Despite being born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, Chelle represented Mali at the international level.
His African roots have drawn mixed reactions, with some Nigerians applauding the NFF for breaking away from the trend of appointing older, foreign (often white) coaches.
While some netizens see his youth and tactical potential as assets, others remain sceptical. Under the announcement post, many Nigerians voiced their opinions.
An X user, Temitayo, said with the current Super Eagles players, Chelle is not the right choice, noting that he cannot lead the team.
“For the calibre of the present Super Eagles players, I don’t think this man is the right choice! Of all the options available out there, this is our best?”, Temitayo said.
Elvis Osas Odese, another X user, stated that the appointment shows the NFF had no positive plans for Nigerians. He wrote, “It’s obvious, whoever is running the Super Eagles doesn’t want the Nigeria team in the next World Cup. Shame!”
Another X user, Davoo, urged Nigerians to give him a chance “Welcome bruh abeg my fellow wonderful wonderful excellent Nigerians make we give am small benefit of the doubt before we start cooking pls.”
Similarly, an X user, Fear Women, argued that Chelle deserved the same chance Nigerians gave President Bola Tinubu to lead, despite the prevailing economic challenges.
“Y’all take a chill pill. Everyone deserves a chance. Even Tinubu got his chance with all his history all over the Internet.”
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Olorunjuwon wrote, “No be this man them pour water for head during AFCON omo make una dey carry ice block waka cos he go need am aje.”
Kudehinbu Oluwaponle tweeted, “15 years ago, so many coaches wanted the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi had to go coach the Malian National team. Now the tables have turned, Nig’s only option is a Malian coach that’s just been sacked by Mali, whose best profile is Ligue 2 club where he was also sacked.”
Similarly, Ikechi, another X user wrote, “In the history of a Nigerian football ,Nigerian has never hired an African coach to coach the super eagles what happened to amunike or even leave Eguavoen there even Samson siasia has a better profile than this guy , this NFF is the worst set ever.”
Additionally, Nigeria must survive, another X user tweeted, “I really don’t know why every sector in this country have always chose to do things that never align with the citizens…just imagine if Nigerians can react to this appointment like this,tell me what will the players do on the field? Home goals of course…unah weldone oooo.”
Duruewuru Faithful commented, “If we wanted an African coach, what happened to mosimane?”
Azeez Bolarinwa wrote, “Éric Sékou Chelle is a professional football manager and a former player who played as a centre-back. Born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, he made five appearances for the Mali national team.”
The debate continues as fans eagerly await Chelle’s debut with the Super Eagles in the coming months.
