Former NFF President Pinnick Endorses Indigenous Coach for Super Eagles Role
Amaju Pinnick, the former president of the Nigeria Football Federation and a respected FIFA Council member, has publicly advocated for a Nigerian coach to assume the head coach position of the Super Eagles, potentially replacing the current manager, Eric Chelle. This endorsement comes amid discussions about the future leadership of Nigeria's senior men's national football team following a period of mixed results under Chelle's guidance.
Eric Chelle's Tenure and Performance Targets
Eric Chelle, a Franco-Malian tactician, was appointed with the primary objective of securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He took charge when the Super Eagles were struggling, positioned fourth in their qualification group without a victory in four initial matches. Although Chelle managed to improve the team's form, recording four wins and two draws in the subsequent fixtures, Nigeria fell short of automatic qualification, finishing behind group leaders South Africa, who accumulated 18 points.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles advanced to the African playoffs, where they delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Gabon in the semifinals. However, their campaign ended in disappointment with a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the final, as confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Following this, Chelle was given another mandate: to guide Nigeria to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco. The team reached the semifinals but was eliminated by the host nation, Morocco. Nigeria ultimately secured the bronze medal by defeating nine-time AFCON champions Egypt 4-2 on penalties, a result reported by Al Jazeera. Despite this achievement, Chelle failed to meet the specific targets set by the NFF's technical committee, sparking debates about his future and potential successors.
Pinnick's Recommendation: Emmanuel Amunike as Potential Successor
In a recent appearance on the Sunday Oliseh Global Football Insights Podcast, Amaju Pinnick highlighted Super Eagles legend Emmanuel Amunike as a strong candidate to succeed Eric Chelle. Pinnick emphasized that Amunike, a former Barcelona star, must first demonstrate his capabilities by achieving significant success with Heartland FC, the local club he currently manages.
Pinnick outlined specific criteria for consideration:
- Amunike should focus on winning a major trophy with Heartland FC, potentially even the Champions League, to prove his managerial prowess.
- He must emulate the successful template established by Finidi George at Rivers United in the Nigeria Premier Football League, showcasing consistent results and effective team management.
Pinnick stressed, "The Super Eagles is not just for anybody to handle. Let's see your results with Heartland FC." This stance reflects his belief in merit-based appointments, drawing from his own experience as NFF president, during which he appointed various coaches, including Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, Gernot Rohr, and José Peseiro.
Support for Local Coaches from Sports Journalist Sadiq Adebara
Echoing Pinnick's sentiments, Nigerian sports journalist Sadiq Adebara has voiced strong support for indigenous coaches to lead the Super Eagles. In an exclusive interview, Adebara pointed to the historical successes of local coaches such as Stephen Keshi, Shuaibu Amodu, Samson Siasia, and Daniel Amokachi, all of whom have won medals for Nigeria on the international stage.
Adebara argued, "There is nothing special about Eric Chelle because our local coaches have won bronze medals at the Africa Cup of Nations. We have the talent in abundance and what we need is a coach who will manage the players properly." He specifically endorsed Emmanuel Amunike, noting that Amunike's previous experience coaching some of the current Super Eagles players at the U17 level could facilitate a smooth transition and enhance team performance.
Broader Context: Salary Crisis and Structural Issues
Beyond the coaching debate, Amaju Pinnick has also addressed ongoing challenges within Nigerian football, particularly the salary crisis affecting the Super Eagles. He has expressed serious concerns over unpaid salaries for national team coaches, highlighting the absence of a stable and well-defined payment structure as a recurring problem. This issue underscores the need for systemic reforms to support both players and coaching staff, ensuring financial stability and fostering a conducive environment for success.
The discussions surrounding Eric Chelle's potential replacement and the advocacy for local coaches reflect a broader narrative in Nigerian football: a push for homegrown talent and leadership to harness the country's abundant footballing potential. As the Super Eagles prepare for future competitions, the decisions made regarding coaching appointments will be crucial in shaping the team's trajectory and aspirations on the global stage.
