Since Eric Chelle was announced as the new Super Eagles coach, a storm of criticism has erupted. Journalists—whether in broadcast, print, or on social media—pundits, and even everyday Nigerians on the street have joined the bandwagon of ridicule.
Social media has been flooded with memes mocking his appointment, but what’s most troubling is the backlash from seasoned journalists who should know better.
This is the same Eric Chelle who recently led a team to defeat the Super Eagles. The same man who has coached several of our national team players. He even took Mali, on the verge of missing the Nations Cup, to within touching distance of the semi-finals, only losing to the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, in extra time.
Critics keep harping on “pedigree,” but let’s take a step back and ask: What was the pedigree of the coaches Nigeria employed before him?
Otto Gloria, Manfred Hoener, Clemens Westerhof, Jo Bonfrere, Philippe Troussier, Gernot Rohr, and José Peseiro—none of these men were household names in their own countries. Westerhof, for instance, was unknown even in the Netherlands, yet he took Nigeria from mediocrity to global prominence.
Many of these coaches left Nigeria with no lasting impact or fanfare beyond their tenure here.
Now, let’s talk about Chelle. He has a solid track record: as Mali’s coach, he played 22 matches, winning 14, drawing 5, and losing just 3.
Overall in his short coaching career, he has managed 159 matches with 70 wins, 42 draws, and 47 losses.
These are impressive stats, yet some Nigerians are unwilling to give him a chance. Is it because he’s African? Is it because he’s Malian?
If Eric Chelle were white, would Nigerians have reacted the same way?
The truth is, Mali’s exposure to French football has nurtured exceptional talents, and Chelle is no exception.
The Yoruba adage “Inú ìkòkò dúdú ni ẹ̀kọ funfun ti n jáde” (it is from a black pot that white pap emerges) perfectly captures this situation. Mali, despite its modest football history, has produced one of the most promising coaches in Africa.
Nigerians clamoring for a Mourinho, Wenger, or Van Gaal need to wake up to reality. The NFF cannot afford these names for now. Instead, they’ve made a pragmatic and forward-thinking decision by appointing Chelle, who, with the right support, could excel.
We also need to shift the focus to our players. Why does Boniface score freely for his club but struggle to deliver for Nigeria? Why is Iwobi exceptional for Fulham yet underwhelming in the Super Eagles setup?
Why are fitness levels and tactical discipline often lacking? These are critical questions. A coach can only do so much; the bulk of the responsibility rests on the players’ shoulders.
It’s time to set aside our biases, embrace Chelle’s appointment, and focus on building a cohesive and formidable team.
If late Stephen Keshi could take Togo to their first World Cup with minimal coaching experience, what stops Chelle from achieving success with the Super Eagles?
Let’s give him a chance to prove himself.
By Tolulope Oguntimehin
OTTO GLORIA is a particularly poor example for the point you’re trying to make. Before he came to Nigeria, he had coached Portugal to 3d-place at the 1966 WC (propelled by the great Eusebio), won 6 Portuguese league championships (including 4 with some of the greatest Benfica teams), 4 Portuguese Cups and 1 Brazilian league championship (in the days when the best Brazilian players, including Pele) actually played in the Brazilian league. Frankly, he was arguably one of the world’s leading coaches when he came to Nigeria. Even BERTI VOGTS, whom in my humble opinion was one of the worst and most tedious coaches the Super Eagles ever had the misfortune to have, had nonetheless previously won the Euro Championships in 1996 before he ended up in Nigeria.
Frankly, I must confess that I personally do not know much (if anything at all) about ERIC CHELLE to make an informed analysis about him. However, I do know that the NFF is apparently financially (or otherwise) incapable of hiring truly ‘world-class’ national team coaches (as is, ones with a remarkable track record of professional achievements), and accordingly we are compelled to settle with the usual suspects of journeymen or at best hope for younger coaches eager to use the Super Eagles to establish an international pedigree (with the latter being the category which Mr. Chelle arguably falls into). Personally, count me UNIMPRESSED on both counts. Personally, would rather we dedicate our resources into upgrading our indigenous coaching talent.
BEST OF LUCK to the Super Eagles, regardless of whom the coach is.
THOUGH IT IS NOT A THING OF SURPRISE. WE ARE ALREADY IN A COUNTRY WHEREBY INCOMPETENCY IS BEING CONSIDER AS COMPETENCY. SOMEONE THAT DOESN’T HAVE COMMON WAEC CERTIFICATE BEING CONSIDER AS NUMBER ONE LEADER AHEAD OF SOMEONE THAT HAVE PHD. CERTIFICATE AS DEPUTY LEADER.
SOMETIMES ALSO, WE DON’T NEED TO BE DECIEVE/CONFUSE WITH THE HIGH PROFILE NAME OF COACHES BEFORE THEY ARE BEING EMPLOYED.
WHAT IS THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WESTERHOFF, KESHI, HERVE- RENARD BEFORE THEY ARE BEING EMPLOYED BY NIGERIA( in1989), TOGO,(in 2005), ZAMBIA(in 2007).
WHAT WE NEED FROM ERIC CHELLE IS TACTICAL DISCIPLINE ON THE FIELD OF PLAY & SELECTION WITHOUT SENTIMENT.
MOST NIGERIA COACHES ARE TRIBALISTIC, REGIONISTIC, SENTIMENTAL AND BRIBE-TAKEN.
Sentiment and corruption are parts of our problems in Nigeria. Eric has come to stay, I believe he will succeed unless NFF wants him to fail. It’s either you like it or not,he is better than our so called ex international that take up coaching job for the obvious reasons knowing to us and mentioned earlier in the above comment