Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has called on Nigerian football fans to rally behind newly-appointed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.
Eric Chelle’s appointment has sparked mixed reactions among pundits and supporters, a development Ikpeba, a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, finds unsurprising.
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“The appointment of a coach for the Super Eagles will always generate a lot of interest,” Ikpeba said during an interview on Brila FM Radio with former Super Eagles star Ifeanyi Udeze.
“This is one of the biggest countries in Africa, and that’s the passion that comes with the national team. Even if we had appointed Pep Guardiola (Manchester City coach), there would still be complaints. If there are no arguments, there won’t be success.”
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Ikpeba stressed the importance of unity and support for Chelle as Nigeria navigates a challenging path to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
“A decision has been made on a new coach by the NFF, and we have to support it,” Ikpeba stated. “Eric Chelle is a young coach who will succeed with our support.
“We’re in a tight corner in the World Cup qualifying campaign, and we must back him to get the best out of the players, who are the main actors in this situation. I am optimistic that with the support of Nigerians, we will still qualify for the World Cup.”
Chelle, 47, is expected in Nigeria this weekend to finalize a two-year contract with the NFF. His arrival marks the beginning of a crucial phase for the Super Eagles as they aim to secure their place on the world stage.
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