Eric Chelle: What can Nigeria’s Super Eagles expect from new manager?

Since leaving Mali, Chelle’s only job has been a short and unsuccessful stint with Algerian club MC Oran.

Now comes another big step up to manage three-time continental champions Nigeria, the runners-up at the 2023 Afcon.

Super Eagles fans had expected a high-profile coach to take charge, and Diakite accepts the challenge is “enormous”.

“I understand the feeling of Nigerian football fans,” he said.

“He (Chelle) is a young coach. His record is blank [at] the moment, but he is ambitious.”

Results in the final six rounds of World Cup qualifiers will be crucial in deciding whether Chelle is kept on for the 2025 Afcon, which kicks off in December.

But Diakite suggests patience is required.

“Malian football fans have a lot of admiration for Eric Chelle.

“I hope that he will have the same consideration in Nigeria.”

Chelle may well lead Nigeria at next month’s African Nations Championship, the tournament for domestic-based players.

NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said the new Super Eagles coach would be the one to manage the side – with the aim of “injecting” Nigerian Premier League players into the senior national team.

“Eric used to follow the local league (Mali Premier Division) a lot. We always found a local player in his national team,” Diakite explained.

In order to win over demanding fans and deliver results with the Super Eagles, Chelle will need to draw on all the experience he has gathered so far.