The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has petitioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reconsider its appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

In a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, the appointment of the Malian tactician was described as an aberration due to his lack of pedigree.

NANS believes there are better and more experienced football managers both indigenously and in Europe with better CVs than the Malian.

The student body further noted that the NFF should have rather appointed a local coach if an African manager was its preferred choice.

The statement partly read, “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 would 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 that is versed and tactical, 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 that will rekindle the country’s glory in the game of soccer, both in Africa and on the global stage.”