‘I have enough experience to coach Super Eagles’ — Eric Chelle

Andre Olasukanmi
3 Min Read

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle says he has enough experience and what it takes to coach the Super Eagles.

The Franco-Malian was unveiled as the new Eagles coach on Monday by the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja. His appointment has divided sports fans in Nigeria, with several supporters stating that he does not have the required experience to manage a country like Nigeria and the Super Eagles brand.

Before his appointment, Chelle’s most recent job was with Algeria’s MC Oran, but the most prolific team on his resume was coaching the Mali national team, leading them to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where they lost out in the quarterfinal to the hosts.

Many Nigerians are skeptical about his credentials, but Chelle has revealed that he has enough experience to lead the team to glory.

'I have enough experience to coach Super Eagles' — Eric Chelle
Chelle

“Already, there are a lot of people who say that I don’t have much experience. But ultimately, I do have experience. I ended my career in 2014, and I’ve been coaching since that year,” Chelle said in an interview with matinlibre.com.

“I coached a team, let’s say, from West Africa (Mali) not long ago. I coached a team in Algeria, the Mouloudia Club d’Oran. So, I’m starting to get to know African football well. Today, I feel ready to lead this great team with great players. So, I’m part of the progression process; the players will help me progress, and I will help them progress too. Because I have a vision of football that will really fit well with this team.

Chelle has been tasked with qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup, and with the country in a precarious position, it looks like a difficult thing to do and will ultimately pile pressure on the coach, but he says he is ready as such pressure comes with the job.

“We play football; it’s normal that there is pressure. It’s normal that there is criticism. Today, I will work; I have certainties; I have my game plan in mind, and I will quickly put it in place. Now, my results and the team’s results will speak for me. So, we can say what we want, but, at the time we speak, the coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, his name is Eric Chelle.”

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