From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared that it will embark on a national protest against the appointment of former Malian coach Eric Sekou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
The Clerk of the Senate, NANS National headquarters, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who stated this at a press conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Thursday, said that the planned protest had become imperative in order to drive home the displeasure of the student body against the appointment of the new coach.
He added that the protest is also to demand the reversal of the appointment by the NFF.
It is recalled that NANS, in a statement signed by Odunayo on Wednesday, had flayed the NFF over its decision to hire Chelle to manage the nation’s senior male team, describing the appointment as “an aberration and a slap on the country”.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday, however, Odunayo said that the planned protest will be organised by the President of NANS, Pedro Obi, in conjunction with the Senate of the Association, beginning from next Monday.
He added that the protest will be taken to the National Assembly in Abuja, while it will also take place in all the six zones of NANS simultaneously.
He further expressed dismay at the appointment and wondered what prompted the NFF to settle for the new coach among other better and more experienced coaches, both in Nigeria and Europe.
According to him, such actions of ignoring local talents have led to the brain drain the country is currently grappling with.
Odunayo noted that the country has several qualified and experienced coaches capable of leading the national team, wondering why the NFF would choose to appoint a tactician who lacked a track record with the Super Eagles.
He further contended that there are several Nigerian coaches with better pedigrees and CVs than Chelle, urging the NFF to search for a coach locally, if an African coach is their preferred choice.
The NANS Clerk of the Senate added that, apart from the below-average records as a coach, the new Super Eagles Head Coach never proved himself as a fantastic footballer and never played for any top football club in his heyday.
While calling on the NFF to reconsider its decision, Odunayo urged the Federation to either look within and appoint a Nigerian person or any other person in Europe as Eagles coach.
While tasking the Federation on the need to groom more local coaches and encourage them by giving them national assignments instead of appointing “a half-baked coach” from Africa, he stressed that the planned protests will be sustained to demand the reversal of the appointment.
“We all witnessed how the Malian National Team, the Aiglons, struggled, wobbled and stumbled at the 2024 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. NANS, therefore, wonders why the NFF will go for such a person as the coach of the Super Eagles.
“The 47-year-old featured for clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career, without any laurels. As a nation, we need a coach who is versed and tactical, one who can harness and blend the talents we parade in this country.
“We at NANS condemn this appointment as it falls short of the standards our nation is known for, especially in the round leather game. Rather than giving Nigeria a half-baked or run-of-the-mill coach, the NFF can do better by appointing a Nigerian into the position of the coach of the Super Eagles.
“We seriously doubt if Chelle can secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, a major mandate given to him by the NFF. We call on the football federation to reconsider this appointment and give the country a Super Eagles coach who will rekindle the country’s glory in the game of soccer, both in Africa and at the global stage.”
“To this end, we will embark on protests to be led by our President, Pedro Obi. We will take the protest to the National Assembly and ensure it takes place simultaneously in all the six zones of NANS, to drive home our demand,” he stated.