Jo Bonfrère, the Dutch-born coach who guided Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team to victory at the 1996 Olympic Games men’s football event with a 3-2 win over Argentina in the final, has declared that the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals depends on the players, not the coach, Completesports.com reports.
Bonfrère, 78, spoke exclusively to Completesports.com from his home country, the Netherlands, on Friday following the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the substantive Super Eagles Head Voach, after Finidi George’s departure.
“Nigeria has many good players in Europe. It’s the players that will make the World Cup qualification happen, not the coach,” Bonfrère told Completesports.com.
Also Read: 5 Key Strategies Chelle Must Implement To Make Super Eagles More Formidable
“You [Nigeria] have fantastic players, and with these players, Nigeria can qualify for the Mexico/Canada/USA 2026 World Cup. It’s not the coach who makes it happen but the players.”
When asked about Eric Sekou Chelle’s technical capability to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup from a group where they currently sit third, Bonfrère admitted he does not know Chelle but maintained that the players, not the coach, hold the key to qualification.
“I don’t know him. But yes, Nigeria must win, win, win in the remaining three games. That’s the only way forward. It’s the players, not the coach, who can make it happen,” Bonfrère reiterated.
Bonfrère has previously managed clubs such as MVV Maastricht in the Netherlands, Al Wahda in the UAE, Al Ahly in Egypt, and Qatar’s national team.
By Sab Osuji
7 Comments
Not just players a good coach can also make it happen
Yes the players selected by a competent and non biased coach will make Nigeria qualify. Another player being talked about is Empoli midfielder known as Toni Anjorin . This is the time for us to woo him into the national team he is a complete physical midfielder. Atalanta is planning to buy him next season.
Yes o, help us tell them. Always quick to want to blame the coach but yet the players are not held accountable.
Is it not the coach that selects players? Abi did the players select themselves?
Don’t blame the coach, but blame the players he selected.
Don’t blame the coach even though he’s tactically bereft.
Dey play!
It is you that should stop playing, will the coach pause the game to show professionals how to score or not commit errors in the game.
It is you that should stop playing, will the coach pause the game to show professionals how to score or not commit errors in the game.
Was he not the one who scouted and selected these players who are now messing up in matches? And are his tactics or lack thereof also not responsible?
This is like refusing to blame a cook for messing up in the kitchen. No, why always blame the cook? Instead, blame the cooking pot, blame the ingredients, even sef blame NEPA for interrupted electricity. Leave the cook alone! Makes all kinds of sense, right?
I say once again, DEY PLAY!