Report: No truth to claims of Malian coach Éric Chelle taking over Super Eagles

Recent reports suggesting that the Minister of Sports, John Owan Enoh, was in Paris to negotiate with the agent of Malian coach Eric Chelle for the Super Eagles’ head coach position have left Nigerian football fans bewildered, Soccernet.ng reports. 

These claims implied that the minister was bypassing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint a new coach for the national team.

However, Diana-Mary Tiku Nsan, the Senior Assistant to the Minister of Sports, has firmly debunked these rumours circulating in the Nigerian media outlets.

This is very false news

— Diana-mary Tiku Nsan (@dianamarynsan) July 31, 2024

She clarified that the reports of Enoh meeting with Chelle’s agent in Paris are entirely unfounded, putting an end to the widespread speculation.

The Super Eagles have been without a head coach since the resignation of Finidi George, who left citing a lack of support from the NFF.

With their next match, a crucial 2025 African Cup of Nations qualification tie against Guinea Bissau, scheduled for September 7, the pressure is mounting to find a new coach.

The urgency is underscored by the Super Eagles’ packed schedule, with six games over three months in 2024, including vital qualification matches for both the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 AFCON.

Amidst the swirling rumours and speculation, the NFF’s attempts to secure deals with high-profile names like Hervé Renard and Steve McLaren have reportedly fallen through, leaving fans eagerly awaiting a resolution.

The Nigerian football community remains on edge, with the clock ticking down to the announcement of a new head coach who can steer the Super Eagles through their critical upcoming fixtures.