Veteran sports journalist Toyin Ibitoye don come out to talk say Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle deserve make dem renew im contract. According to Ibitoye, Chelle don show say e fit build strong team wey go fit win AFCON for future.
Ibitoye wey be former media officer for Super Eagles from 2015 to 2020, talk say even though Nigeria no win di last AFCON tournament, di way di team play win many people heart. “Nigeria no win di tournament, but di football wey Nigeria play win di hearts of many people,” Ibitoye yarn. “Wetin you suppose dey look na how dem play well, dia discipline for pitch and outside, because sometimes luck dey decide who go win tournament.”
Di journalist add say based on wetin dem see for di last AFCON, Coach Eric Chelle don do enough to make dem talk about renewing im contract. Ibitoye tok say frequent change of coaches don spoil continuity and contribute to Nigeria problem for World Cup qualification.
“We get about three different coaches wey handle Super Eagles during World Cup qualifiers, and of course, di results no good,” Ibitoye talk. “If we don consistent and maintain di kind results we see since Eric Chelle come on board, I sure say World Cup ticket for don secure long time.”
For di next two AFCON tournaments wey go hold between 2026 and 2028, Ibitoye believe say Chelle get potential to lead Nigeria to victory if preparation and luck align. “I believe say if Eric Chelle continue di kind work we see for last AFCON, get strong possibility, with luck for our side, good preparation, and everything work together for our favour, say Nigeria fit win one or even two of di upcoming tournaments.”
Chelle wey reportedly request monthly salary increase from $50,000 to $130,000 to improve im working conditions and support im technical staff, don deny say e threaten to leave national team. E don reaffirm im commitment to lead Nigeria for upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.
Di call for Chelle contract renewal come as NFF don kick off dia 2026 electoral process. Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain Ekong don call for long-term plan after World Cup failure, while players like Lookman, Ajibade and Awoniyi dey continue to shine for dia clubs.
Ibitoye argument dey base on di need for stability and continuity for Nigerian football. Di veteran journalist believe say if dem give Chelle chance to continue, Nigeria go benefit from consistent coaching philosophy and better team development.
Di Super Eagles under Chelle don show improvement in organization and playing style, even though di ultimate trophy no come yet. Many football analysts dey agree say Nigeria performance for di last AFCON give hope for better future.
As di debate about Chelle future continue, Nigerian football fans dey wait to see wetin NFF go decide. Di coach current contract dey near expiration, and decision must take soon before preparations for next competitions begin.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
