Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has made a strong public appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to retain head coach Eric Chelle, despite the team failing to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ndidi's Call for Continuity After Morocco Defeat
The appeal came during a pre-match press conference ahead of Nigeria's third-place playoff match against Egypt. Nigeria was eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, after losing 4-2 on penalties to hosts Morocco following 120 minutes of goalless action at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who missed the semifinal due to a one-match suspension, argued that failing to reach the AFCON final should not be grounds for dismissing the Franco-Malian coach. Ndidi emphasized the stability Chelle has brought to the squad.
"For continuity, I feel like they should keep the coach because he is a wonderful manager; the only thing we need in this team is continuity," Ndidi stated. "We should not change things now because we did not make it to the final; we should remain focused because there are so many competitions ahead."
Fan Reactions and Support for the Coach
Ndidi's comments have sparked significant reactions from Nigerian football fans online, with many echoing his sentiment for stability.
One supporter, @lebar4real, commented, "Yes he should be retained, anything aside from that is a set back and disaster for the team." Another fan, @doyleparton, highlighted Chelle's impressive record: "Chelle's record is impressive, with 11 wins and five draws from 17 games, and he's helped Nigeria score 14 goals in just five AFCON matches."
The consensus among many supporters aligns with Ndidi's view that constant change can be detrimental. User @Ugolibra added, "Sometimes continuity outweighs change. A stable system allows players to understand their roles, build chemistry, grow together."
Looking Ahead to Egypt and the Coach's Future
Ndidi is set to return to lead the three-time AFCON champions in the third-place match against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Saturday, January 17, at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Meanwhile, Coach Eric Chelle has previously addressed questions about his future, stating that his focus remains on the Egypt match. He indicated that conversations regarding his position with the Super Eagles would be held with the NFF after the tournament concludes.
The NFF now faces a critical decision, weighing the captain's public endorsement and fan support against the contractual target of reaching the AFCON final, which was not met.
