After a disgraceful 3-0 loss in Guinea Bissau, the Super Eagles will hope for some form of redemption when they face hosts Russia in a friendly today with the spotlight on coach Eric Chelle.
Eric Chelle’s future as Super Eagles coach has come under serious scrutiny after the team’s capitulation in Bissau with Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON now hanging by a thread.
Social media has been abuzz with users demanding that the former Mali coach get the bullet.
It is a sudden twist from May when he led an experimental team to successfully retain the Unity Cup in London and millions chorused that he be rewarded with a long-term contract.
In this euphoria, the authorities reached a gentleman’s agreement for the coach to get an improved salary of $75,000 a month and a new contract that will now run until August 2028, as first reported by SCORENigeria
It was also agreed that Eric Chelle will head the country’s Olympic team, who will next month begin their qualifying campaign for the U23 AFCON leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles.
The snag in all these is that due to the sudden resignation of the NFF executive committee led by Ibrahim Gusau a formal contract has yet to be given Eric Chelle.
“He is very much exposed now because he does not have a signed contract,” a close observer told SCORENigeria
“A gentleman’s agreement cannot stand in a court and as such he could all of a sudden find himself without a job should the results not be forthcoming.”
The leadership of the NSC has been his staunchest supporter of Eric Chelle, but it will not hesitate to hold back this backing should a poor run of results by the Eagles now impact negatively on their drive to reform sports in Nigeria.
Eric Chelle will lead a hugely weakened team for today’s game against Russia after several top stars including captain Wilfred Ndidi and Bright Osayi-Samuel pulled out.
Another big loss and lethargic display by the Super Eagles could well raise very serious questions upstairs about whether Eric Chelle is really the man to lead the country into a winning era.
