Chelle: Nigerians Demand Foreign NFF President!

Football fans have erupted in online discussions after the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) appointed Eric Sekou Chelle as the new Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles.

With the appointment of the relatively unknown Chelle as the new Super Eagles coach, fans have expressed mixed reactions with some accusing the NFF of lacking transparency in their processes.

Some who felt insulted with the appointment of the relatively unknown Chelle and saw it as a slap on Nigerian coaches, also called for the appointment of a foreign president of the NFF.

GWG.ng reports that Chelle before his appointment by the NFF had previously led Mali’s national team to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

He was announced to Super Eagles fans on Tuesday by the NFF’s Executive Committee following recommendations from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee.

Chelle’s appointment takes effect immediately. His primary task is to guide the Super Eagles to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the next round of qualifying matches scheduled for March. The 47-year-old coach, who has played five times for Mali’s national team, has coached several clubs, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, and has been the head coach of Mali’s national team since 2022. Under his leadership at the 2023 AFCON, Mali was just minutes away from reaching the semifinals, ultimately losing to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in extra time, after leading 1-0 until the final moments of regular play.

The announcement of Chelle’s appointment has sparked a wave of reactions, with many football fans expressing divided views on social media. One X user, NeoAfricaTalk, wrote: “Let’s give him a chance. Though to be honest @thenff have set him up for failure. He will need iceblock to cool his head in the next 2 World Cup qualifiers. And the NFF definitely need someone to use hot water to press their brains.”

Another user, Horlartunjee1, voiced concerns over the lack of transparency, saying, “I don’t like how the NFF hires coaches in Nigeria without providing the public with full details of their contracts. How many years has he signed for? What objectives have they agreed upon? What is his salary? These are the things that should be disclosed to the public when announcing a new coach for the national team.”

EJ shared his uncertainty, posting, “I’ve never heard of him before. I’m wondering if we don’t have better coaches out there to guide the Super Eagles. Congratulations to him and best wishes.”

Vindicated Chidi also reacted strongly, stating, “This is an insult to Nigerian Coaches. So no Nigerian coach is as good or better than this Malian? No offense or disrespect to him though but this is unacceptable. We also need a foreign NFF president. It has to go round.”

MOnwuchekwaa criticized the NFF’s approach, writing, “Again? Hire a very mid foreign coach, pay him very hefty wages, he comes, underperforms and is happy to even be sacked and collect very hefty compensations. We appoint a home-based caretaker coach who does the job better, after a while sack him for another dullard who is not Nigerian. Rinse and repeat.”

Another factor contributing to the mixed reactions on the appointment of the new coach pertains to details surrounding Chelle’s salary. The new coach’s monthly pay is set at $55,000, with Chelle himself receiving $50,000 and his assistants getting the remaining $5,000. This generous package has raised eyebrows among fans and critics alike, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about the appointment.

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