Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has publicly admitted that he was initially skeptical about the appointment of Eric Chelle as the national team handler. His comments come after Nigeria’s heart-breaking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles lost 4-3 on penalties to the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoffs final, ending their World Cup hopes. Despite this setback, Oliseh has praised Chelle for his commitment and progress with the three-time African champions.
Oliseh confessed that he was not thrilled when the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) handed Chelle the reins in January. On his podcast, he said:
“I am one of those, in reality, was totally unhappy when he was appointed, but I must be honest with you that so far, he has won me over.”
The former Ajax midfielder continued:
“I feel like the man has really given it a lot, he’s done a lot, and he’s picked up some points, better than any of the two people that preceded him.”
Under Chelle’s leadership, the Super Eagles may have fallen short of World Cup qualification, but Oliseh sees a positive impact:
Improved team cohesion
Tactical progress
Consistent point gains
Oliseh’s newfound respect highlights Chelle’s ability to turn skeptics into believers — a rare feat in international football.
Despite Nigeria’s disappointment on the global stage, there’s a silver lining: the team is under a capable handler who has earned respect from even the most critical observers. Eric Chelle’s work may yet lay the foundation for future Super Eagles success.
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