Football in Nigeria is not just a sport; it is a religion! The passion for the game runs so deep that I have witnessed firsthand how Nigerians—on more than one occasion—would skip church services to watch the Super Eagles in action.
Such devotion underscores the vital importance of the national team, and the hope that we will once again rise to the global prominence we have known in the past.
Yet, as we prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualification campaign against Rwanda, South Africa and others, the time for reflection and action has arrived.
The Super Eagles stand at a critical crossroads, and a paradigm shift is necessary to ensure their return to greatness.
There is no denying it: the Super Eagles are currently not performing at the level we expected from such a team that parades galaxy of stars.
Their recent results have been inconsistent, and their standing in the qualification table is precarious. The team that once commanded respect and struck fear into international opponents now finds itself struggling to meet expectations.
Truth be told. No minnows in African football anymore. Gone are the days the Super Eagles would massacre Burkina Faso seven goals to one. It could still happen, though. But, I doubt it. And if it must happen at all cost, then, our darling Super Eagles must raise the bar. But undoubtedly, let us win our matches with two nill and then watch seamless tiki-taka style of football. Then, fans wouldn’t want to miss the next match. C’est fini.
But rather than lamenting this situation, we must focus on the future and the immediate steps required to turn things around. This moment calls for change—real, tangible change—and it has started with the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach.
Chelle brings a wealth of experience and a fresh tactical outlook that the Super Eagles desperately need. His approach, grounded in discipline, fluidity, and team unity, offers a new direction for the squad. But Chelle’s success will not come from his ideas alone.
He needs the full support of the Nigerian people, including our revered ex-internationals, who are in a unique position to offer guidance and wisdom. This collective support will be essential as Chelle works to implement his vision for the Super Eagles.
Chelle’s tactical philosophy places a premium on teamwork and strategic coherence. His system will require the team to function as a cohesive unit, where every player contributes both defensively and offensively.
The Super Eagles must press high, transition quickly, and maintain discipline at all times. It is an approach that demands collective effort, something we have not seen consistently from the Super Eagles in recent times.
Chelle will need time, space, and unwavering support to ensure that these changes take root, and this is where the importance of collaboration with past players and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) cannot be overstated.
For instance, without any attempt to diminish the truth, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, known far and wide as ‘The Nest of Champions,’ has proven itself to be a true embodiment of the promise it was designed to fulfill. It lives to its billing.
Erected with state-of-the-art facilities, it stands as a monumental sporting venue, one that has rightfully earned its status as not only a premier location for international sports but also a formidable fortress for the Super Eagles.
Over the years, the stadium has borne witness to some of the most electrifying football action in Africa, including fierce and high-stakes derbies.
It has become an undeniable symbol of footballing excellence and has solidified its place as a major pillar of Nigerian football.
As I reflect on this, my thoughts drift back to the iconic stadia in world football—venues like the once-upon-a-time Highbury and Old Trafford, which were once considered the ultimate ‘fortresses’ in football.
These stadia were not just places of play; they were where the legacies of clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United were etched into history.
The atmosphere in those grounds was always thick with tension, passion, and pride, where visiting teams feared stepping onto the pitch, knowing that the history, the fans, and the weight of the occasion could easily turn the tide.
Similarly, the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, once served as the very heart of Nigerian football—a revered home for the Super Eagles.
Teams from across the globe would come to face the Super Eagles, only to often be left ‘slaughtered’ on the pitch, as the national team’s dominance was all but unstoppable on its hallowed turf.
It is in this context that I firmly believe the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must take strategic steps to reignite the competitive fire in our players.
There is an urgent need to foster and instill the winning mindset that once propelled the Super Eagles to greatness.
We must ensure that our national team not only returns to its peak but also surpasses it, creating new milestones of success for future generations.
While I do not support the idea of free entry to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, as it could lead to potential stampede and safety concerns, I am strongly convinced that the introduction of incentivized tolls could play a crucial role in revitalizing our football culture.
Such an approach would not only ensure a safer and more controlled environment but could also attract larger crowds, reigniting the passion of the fans.
Moreover, the revenue generated from such a system could provide much-needed funds for infrastructure improvements, ensuring that the stadium remains a world-class venue.
More importantly, it would help to revive the spirit of pride and passion among both the players and the fans, contributing directly to a renewed focus on winning.
This initiative could very well be the first step towards reclaiming the glory days of Nigerian football.
I am confident that with the right approach and collective effort, we can achieve this, and once again position the Super Eagles to perform at the highest level.
In addition to Chelle’s tactical acumen, we must recognize the need for an overall shift in mindset—one that fully embraces the principles of modern football.
It is not enough for the team to rely on individual brilliance; the focus must be on collective responsibility. This is where the impact of Arrigo Sacchi’s approach to football provides a key lesson for Nigeria.
Sacchi, the legendary Italian coach, revolutionized the game through his tactical activism—placing emphasis on collective defense, high pressing, and fluid offensive transitions.
Whilst Sacchi was never a professional football player, his methods were a departure from traditional individualistic styles of play, and he raised the game for all teams that encountered his philosophy. I affirmed this because some Super Eagles’ fans are already vilifying Chelle, claiming he is an African from a neighbouring nation,Mali.
They claimed also that Eric Chelle has no trophy to his name yet. That’s fine. But if the same Eric Chelle who was the Malian National team Coach at the last AFCON is the subject matter and under review here, then, he is a great Soccer Tactician. I suppose, it is a new dawn in Nigerian football.
For the Super Eagles, Sacchi’s activism provides an important lesson: football is a collective endeavour, and success comes when every player understands his role within a larger framework.
Sacchi’s insistence on total football, where every player contributes to both ends of the pitch, forced teams—including the Super Eagles at the 1994 World Cup in the United States —into a higher standard of play. His methods raised the level of competition, compelling nations to reconsider their own strategies.
Chelle’s task, much like Sacchi’s, will be to instill this collective responsibility in the Super Eagles, ensuring that the team’s success is not reliant on any single individual, but on a tactical unity that maximizes every player’s potential.
Chelle’s challenge is clear: to build a team that is tactically disciplined, mentally resolute, and capable of playing modern football at the highest level.
To do so, he must adopt a style that is flexible yet structured, one that emphasizes pressing, positional awareness, and rapid transitions.
It is this level of sophistication that will allow the Super Eagles to compete against the best, and Chelle has the ability to instill these qualities in the team.
But Chelle cannot do this alone. He requires the support of the entire Nigerian football community.
Ex-internationals, who have garbed the green and white jerseys with pride, must now step forward to lend their voices, their expertise, and their massive backing.
Their involvement is crucial, not just as advisors, but as active participants in the journey of rebuilding Nigerian football.
They understand the unique pressures that come with representing the national team, and their insights can help guide the Super Eagles through the challenges ahead.
Moreover, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) must play its part by providing the necessary infrastructure, resources, and, most importantly, stability.
The NFF must ensure that Chelle has the tools to succeed—be it through high-quality training facilities, player development programs transition process, or a steadfast commitment to his vision.
Only with this comprehensive support will Chelle be able to instill his tactical ideas and build a team capable of challenging for global glory.
Looking to the past, we can draw inspiration from the example of Clemens Westerhof’s appointment in the early 1990s. His time in charge of the Super Eagles is a reminder of the power of collective belief.
Despite initial skepticism about his qualifications, Westerhof led Nigeria to historic success, including our first Africa Cup of Nations title and a strong showing at the 1994 World Cup.
This success was not the result of Westerhof alone but of a nation rallying behind him. The support of the people, players, and the NFA as then called was essential in making those triumphs a reality.
Now, it is time for a similar collective effort to propel Eric Chelle and the Super Eagles to new heights. Chelle’s vision for Nigerian football is one that requires collaboration, patience, and support from all stakeholders.
The ex-internationals must lend their expertise, the NFF must provide the necessary backing, and the Nigerian people must unite behind the team.
The success of the Super Eagles will not be determined by individual stars, but by a cohesive, disciplined, and unified approach to the game.
In conclusion, Eric Chelle’s appointment represents the beginning of a new era for Nigerian football.
With the right support, the right mindset, and a clear tactical approach, the Super Eagles can once again become a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
But this will only happen, if we come together as a nation—players, coaches, officials, and fans—united in our desire to see the Super Eagles succeed.
Let us put our faith in Chelle’s vision, trust in his methods, and work together to build a team that can rise to the challenges ahead.
The future of Nigerian football is in our hands, and with the collective effort of all, we can restore the Super Eagles to their rightful place among the world’s footballing elite.