By Ben Efe
National Sports Commission director-general Bukola Olopade has urged Nigerians fans to come to terms with the appointment of the Eric Chelle Sekou as the new coach of the Super Eagles and work towards the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Olopade, speaking on a personal capacity and director-general of the NSC noted that he has full confidence that the French/Mailan born Chelle Sekou can deliver on the job against the background of great expectations from Nigerian fans on the progress of the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifiers they are second from bottom in the group C.
“The NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation are on the same page with regards to the coach they have decided to pick as manager of the Super Eagles…the NSC and NFF have a good working relationship,” said Olopade.
He added that he is looking forward to bright future for Nigeria football, noting that Chelle Sekou looks like a man who knows his onions and he is passionate.
“I must confess to you that I’m looking forward to a very bright future for our football under Eric Chelle.
“Beyond all the sentiments and rhetorics, I believe that we have hired a very solid coach who is very passionate and loves African football and wants to try with the solid Nigerian national team with quality players all around the pack.
“What want from Nigerians are prayers and support for the team so that we can qualify for the World Cup, because it is very important to our sports, business, the media and to the players themselves, so it is something we have to be committed to ensure the team qualifies.”
The NFF surprised Nigerians during the week with the announcement of Chelle Sekou as coach of the Super Eagles, considering his relatively quiet coaching background. His best-known resume was he taking Mali to the last eight of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
There was a mixed reaction from Nigerian fans on his appointment, but general most fans have developed a wait and see attitude, with some players of the Super Eagles already pleading their support for the new coach.
NFF president Ibrahim Gusau and NSC director-general Bukola Olapade...