The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has knocked the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, over its decision to hire a former coach of the Malian senior team, Éric Sékou Chelle, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
NANS in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, on Wednesday, described the appointment of the new Super Eagles tactician without any outstanding pedigree is an aberration.
The NFF Executive Committee had on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, announced Chelle as the new coach of the Super Eagles.
However, NANS faulted the appointment, describing it as “slap on the country” saying there are better and more experienced coaches, both in Nigeria and Europe.
The student body noted that Chelle, since he became the Head Coach of Malian senior male national team in 2022, did not qualify the country for the World Cup or win the African Cup of Nations.
The association contended that there are several Nigerian coaches with better pedigrees and CVs than Chelle, urging the NFF to search for a coach locally, if an African coach is their preferred choice.
