“Like a thief in the night, the NFF came out...”
Well the NFF satisfied the yearnings of Nigerians across the globe as they finally announced a substantive head coach for the senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles.
Not the name many would have wanted, but he is the man Éric Sékou Chelle.
The 47-year-old coach recommended by the NFF Technical and Development sub-committee and approved by the Executive committee, confirmed initial reports linking the former Mali coach to the top job a few months ago.
The French-Malian coach doesn’t boast of the best records, as he was appointed as Head coach of U.S Boulogne, and fired after just seven months on the job.
He was also named head coach of the Malian national team in 2022, leading the team to the African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, before being booted out in June 2024 for dragging the team to fourth on the Group I of the World Cup qualification ranks.
The question remains, can Chelle be the man to lead the Super Eagles to the World Cup?
With just three points out of a possible 12 in four games, the Super Eagles find themselves fifth in Group C of the FIFA WC Qualification rankings, and so can Chelle turn this around?
Judging by his coaching records (70 wins out of 159 – 44% win rate), including 13 wins and three losses in 21 games with Mali, it will definitely be an uphill task to turn the tide for the Super Eagles.
Tactically, Chelle’s side set up in a 4-2-3-1, 4–3-1-2 or 4-3-3 formations (Malian team at AFCON case study), with midfielders who can sit deep, and some who can progress forward.
He also thrives with defensive midfielders with the awareness to hold and sit back for any other who deems it fit to bump forward (either in a two of three man midfield). This could favour Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele Bashiru/Raphael Onyedika.
Chelle also thrives on good play from wingbacks, who are constantly ‘runners’, moving high up the pitch to contribute to attacks, and making backward movements to stop opponents’ potential threats at goal.
This will work well with Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi as well as Bright Osayi-Samuel.
His centre-back partnerships also need mutual understanding of each other with regards to defensive situations, favouring William Troost Ekong and Calvin Bassey/Gabriel Osho and Semi Ajayi.
For attack, Éric Chelle favours free flowing attacking football with runners all across the front line, and could also work with creators who find spaces for attackers to run into.
This will suit Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke and even Alex Iwobi.
Tactically, Chelle could be a good fit.
Well, it’s a really precarious situation not looking too good for the Super Eagles, but could Éric Chelle be the long-awaited Messiah?
By Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
Time will tell. I cross my fingers but I believe in Eric capability