Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has demanded that Éric Chelle remain in charge as head coach of the team,reports Completesports.com.
Chelle failed meet the target set for him by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Malian was mandated to guide the Super Eagles to final of the competition.
The three-time champions however fell 4-2 on penalities to hosts Morocco in the semi-final.
Ndidi insisted that the 48-year-old should continue leading the team.
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“I want us to keep the coach,” the Besiktas midfielder said at a pre-match briefing in Casablanca.
“We should be focused on continuity at this point.”
Ndidi also said Eric Chelle has demanded much from the team.
“He is so demanding. I’ve never seen a coach as demanding…Not just on the field but off it, even down to how we eat,” he remarked.
“He’s a nice guy and connects with his players, but when it’s time for the job, he doesn’t joke.”
By Adeboye Amosu
1 Comment
I wont be carried away by SE performance in Morocco under chelle’s guidance as coach because with the quality and caliber of players we hv SE should be talking about winning the cup. Last AFCON pesero took us to the final with same players. Chelle’s has some flaws that can prove costly in some situations. He is too rigid. No plan B. Against morrocco our full backs which had been our attacking outlet couldnt go forward becase of Diaz and Akim. I keep wondering why the coach did not switch to a 4; 2; 3; 1 which allows our natural wingers Moses and chukwese/lukeman to run at and dribble Morrocco who were focusing so much on Osihmen. Another mistake was playing only Onyedika at the base of the midfield when he knew that Ndidi was suspended. I hv watched the video over and over again and found that we couldn’t high press Morrocco like in other matches because Onyedika kept losing the ball when in transition. Also he was slow in decisions making. Yet Chelle kept believing in Diamond. Guys, dont be deceived a Diamond midfield is not the almighty. Every system is good but u chose formation accordingly to the opposition and availability of players. A diamond midfield needs a strong, physical imposing holding midfielder at the base which suits Ndidi very much. But onyedika does not fit in. Even onyenka should hv been a better fit than Onyedika. Folks sorry i’m over emphasizing this position . This is because i know that is the primary reason we fail to beat morroco in regulation time. Now talking about tactical flexibility I wil go with Late Stephen kechi , the boss. He was so flexible. Can play like 3 system in one match. Thats why he won us the AFCON. If Our football must grow lets go out for standard sound foreign Coach. I like chelle. My worry is that he is too rigid. Starts well but ends badly