Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze has voiced his displeasure with the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint French-born Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Nigerian national team.
Speaking on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred, Udeze criticized Chelle’s credentials and questioned his commitment to the team’s success, alleging that the coach accepted the role primarily for personal career advancement.
“The most annoying thing is that Augustine Eguavoen, who was our interim coach, has a better CV than this Eric Chelle,” Udeze said.
“A coach Mali sacked for a poor run in the World Cup qualifiers – does he deserve this job? He took the job to enhance his CV. He doesn’t care whether we qualify for the World Cup or not. That’s the only reason he accepted the job.”
Udeze played 35 times for the super eagles
Chelle, 47, steps into the role previously held by Eguavoen, who served as interim coach following the departure of Finidi George last year.
Eric Chelle’s appointment as Super Eagles coach
“I was a bit disappointed because he is not what we need for now” – Ifeanyi Udeze
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While Eguavoen faced criticism during his tenure, Udeze maintains that he was a more qualified option compared to Chelle.
Despite the backlash, Chelle has some notable achievements. Under his leadership, Mali qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and reached the quarterfinals, earning praise for their dynamic and attractive style of play.
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Additionally, Chelle’s Mali side defeated Nigeria 2-0 in a friendly match shortly after AFCON, showcasing his tactical prowess.
However, Chelle’s stint with Mali ended on a sour note, as poor results in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers led to his dismissal.
As Chelle takes over the Super Eagles, he faces significant pressure to perform, particularly in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The appointment has sparked mixed reactions, with critics like Udeze calling for greater scrutiny of the NFF’s decision-making process.
