Dikko Defends Chelle’s Appointment as Eagles’ Coach After Malian Triumph

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, on Monday, staunchly defended the selection of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team. Dikko, appearing on a national television breakfast program, emphasized Chelle’s exceptional coaching abilities, notably his success with the Malian Eagles.
Chelle’s impressive track record with the Malian national team, which included a notable victory over the Super Eagles in a friendly match, was a central point in Dikko’s defense. According to Dikko, Chelle’s deep comprehension of African football makes him ideally suited for the role of guiding Nigeria’s team to future success.
Last Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed Chelle as the Super Eagles’ new coach, a move that has stirred considerable controversy. Chelle’s appointment marks him as the third individual to assume the role since the departure of former Portuguese coach José Peseiro. Many Nigerians have expressed outrage, criticizing the football federation for “lowering standards” by hiring a former Malian coach instead of giving the position to a Nigerian candidate.
However, Dikko dismissed the backlash, suggesting that such reactions are commonplace whenever a new coach is named in Nigeria. “In Nigeria, every football fan considers themselves a coach, and everyone has their own ideas about who should lead the team,” he said. “It’s normal for people to voice their discontent.”
Dikko further elaborated on the crucial upcoming World Cup qualifiers, stressing the urgency of finding a coach who can bring fresh perspectives and strategic insight to the Super Eagles. He pointed out that, given the team’s challenging fixtures—against Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and Benin—there was no time for friendly matches or testing new tactics. “We need someone with firsthand experience in African football, someone who knows how to navigate these challenges,” he asserted.
He continued by highlighting Chelle’s proven success with Mali, where he transformed the team into a formidable force on the continental stage. Under Chelle, Mali triumphed in 14 out of 22 matches, drawing five and losing just three. His team scored over 40 goals while conceding fewer than 15, reflecting a balanced philosophy of attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
Dikko noted that Chelle’s record, including a narrow loss in the last AFCON due to a last-minute blunder, underscores his credibility as a coach who can deliver results. “He’s not only about scoring; he knows how to build a resilient team,” Dikko added. “His approach has already brought fresh thinking to the team.”
Given the pressing nature of the World Cup qualifiers, Dikko emphasized that time is of the essence. Even world-renowned managers like José Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson would need time to adjust to the Super Eagles, and that luxury is simply not available in this case. Therefore, only someone with deep experience in African football, like Chelle, could step in and make an immediate impact.