Former Nigerian international Dimeji Lawal has expressed confidence in Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle’s capability to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup.
Recall that Chelle was unveiled on Monday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the media conference room of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
His appointment comes at a critical time, with the Super Eagles struggling in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C with just three points from four matches and is yet to secure a victory in the qualifiers. Chelle has been tasked with reviving Super Eagles World Cup hopes and rebuilding confidence among the players and fans.
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Speaking on his appointment, Lawal in a chat with Completesports.com stated that Eric Chelle should not be judged based on the fact that he’s from Mali.
“He has been saddled with the responsibility, and he has decided to take up that responsibility. That means he is capable of doing the job. So I wish him well and hope he qualifies the Super Eagles for the World Cup.
“I have no problem with a coach coming from anywhere all over the world. Our own coaches have been outside to coach. So what stops others from coming here if you are talking about where he was coming from?
“I think that will be a mistake because we have African coaches taking up clubs in Europe. I remember that the late Stephen Keshi and Emmanuel Amuneke have been outside Nigeria to coach. So that should not be the criteria for his appointment.
“I am an advocate of indigenous coaches and support ex-internationals who have the certificate to do the job. But in this case, the people who are in charge of our football have decided that they are going to go for a man from Mali. So what we need to do is to give him support to succeed.”
1 Comment
THOUGH IT IS NOT A THING OF SURPRISE. WE ARE ALREADY IN A COUNTRY WHEREBY INCOMPETENCY IS BEING CONSIDER AS COMPETENCY. SOMEONE THAT DOESN’T HAVE COMMON WAEC CERTIFICATE BEING CONSIDER AS NUMBER ONE LEADER AHEAD OF SOMEONE THAT HAVE PHD. CERTIFICATE AS DEPUTY LEADER.
SOMETIMES ALSO, WE DON’T NEED TO BE DECIEVE/CONFUSE WITH THE HIGH PROFILE NAME OF COACHES BEFORE THEY ARE BEING EMPLOYED.
WHAT IS THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WESTERHOFF, KESHI, HERVE- RENARD BEFORE THEY ARE BEING EMPLOYED BY NIGERIA( in1989), TOGO,(in 2005), ZAMBIA(in 2007).
WHAT WE NEED FROM ERIC CHELLE IS TACTICAL DISCIPLINE ON THE FIELD OF PLAY & SELECTION WITHOUT SENTIMENT.
MOST NIGERIA COACHES ARE TRIBALISTIC, REGIONISTIC, SENTIMENTAL AND BRIBE-TAKEN.