Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have protested the appointment of Eric Chelle as the substantive coach of the Super Eagles.
NANS held a protest on Thursday at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta to register their displeasure, calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reverse the appointment with immediate effect.
Led by the clerk of the Senate, Abdul Yekinn Odunayo, NANS condemned the appointment and said it fell short of the expectations of Nigerians and football enthusiasts.
The students also threatened to embark on a nationwide protest to drive home their demand and called for the appointment of a better coach who tactical and can harness the abundant talents abound in the country.
“We are gathered here today to address an issue that has not only baffled us but has also drawn widespread disapproval from Nigerian students and sports enthusiasts alike,” Odunayo said.
“On behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students, I, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, Clerk of the Senate of NANS National Headquarters, wish to categorically express our displeasure over the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
“This appointment, as announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is not only unacceptable but also a slap in the face of our nation’s abundant pool of local coaching talent. Consequently, NANS, as the voice of the Nigerian students, is compelled to organise a national protest to demand a reversal of this decision.”
On Tuesday, NFF confirmed the appointment of Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Match days 5 and 6) taking place in March.
Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022.
Chelle was appointed manager of Mali and was dismissed on 13 June 2024.
