Several ex-internationals have expressed concern over the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint former Mali coach Éric Chelle as Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
The appointment of the 47-year-old Malian was announced on Tuesday, with the former internationals raising doubts about Chelle’s ability to lead the national team.
Kadiri Ikhana, a former international and ex-Super Falcons coach, said he was “disappointed” by the decision, adding that Chelle’s credentials were not superior to those of Nigerian coaches.
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“I think it is a terrible decision because Eric Chelle is not better than our local coaches,” he stated.
Similarly, Harrison Jalla, ex-international and Chairman of the Professionals Football Association of Nigeria, Task Force, also questioned the NFF’s choice, pointing to Chelle’s underwhelming tenure as Mali’s coach.
“I don’t know the basis of this appointment; this is a coach that was sacked by the Malian Football Federation for poor performance,” Jalla remarked.
Chelle, who has coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, has been the head coach of Mali since 2022.
He also represented Mali in five international matches during his playing career.
Chelle became a viral sensation during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final between Mali and Ivory Coast. During the tense match, a member of his staff poured water on his head to help him recover from the stress, which soon became a widely shared meme. Chelle later explained that the water was vital to stabilise his condition.
