Before Eric Chelle, Stephen Keshi was perhaps the last Super Eagles head coach that was widely loved.
Keshi earned the affection for his playing days and winning the country’s third Africa Cup of Nations title.
Chelle was only able to win the bronze medal at the just concluded AFCON in Morocco.
But it does appear Nigerians have been impressed with how much work he has done with the team, especially in the last weeks.
That work began with the final few fixtures in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series and extended to the AFCON.
“I think he’s done a fantastic job, all things considered,” Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster, tells NEWSUNPLUG.
“Maybe there were teething problems somewhere along the line, but you have to consider the context.
“We were in a dire situation when he arrived. He came when there was overwhelming pressure and little margin for error, so he had to adapt and be a bit rigid.
“AFCON showed us what is possible when he is given more time to coach his ideas.
“It’s also worth noting that the players have fully bought into his ideas and into him as their coach.
“That harmony is key in intentional football.”
Since the AFCON ended, there have been calls from every quarter for the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to offer Chelle a new deal.
Players, fans, pundits and stakeholders have been unanimous in their opinion.
“Common sense suggests that they retain him,” McDubus said.
“I can’t see how they can come to any other decision.
“A bronze medal at AFCON is not a sackable offence, especially when elimination in the semis happened on penalties against the host nation.
“He also worked miracles to even get us into the World Cup playoffs after inheriting a near-hopeless situation upon his arrival.
“Beyond that, there is a need for stability after the constant changing of coaches in the last few years.
“Chelle has shown that he is worth backing, in order to establish a strong team with an irresistible playing identity.”
So far, the NFF is yet to initiate any talks with Chelle.
Although the 48-year-old has one year left on the contract he signed, there is a danger he could be lured by another team.
A few African countries have expressed interest already.
“If Chelle is tempted by another offer and leaves, I think it will be our loss,” McDubus warns.
“The national team hasn’t played this good in decades, and we look on course for a special campaign at the next AFCON tournament if we can prioritise stability and let him keep building what he has started.
“It would be disappointing to lose him and have to start again with someone else.”
