Nigerian football enthusiasts have questioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its appointment of Malian coach Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

On Tuesday, January 7, the NFF ended its long search for a new head coach for the three-time African champions, following the resignation of Finidi George from the role in June last year.

The NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee recommended Chelle for the vacant role during its meeting on January 2, 2025, in Abuja. This recommendation was subsequently approved by the NFF Executive Committee on January 7, 2025.

The move by the NFF to appoint an African coach to lead the 2013 AFCON winners has sparked outrage on social media, as many fans believe Nigeria has more qualified indigenous coaches to lead the Super Eagles.

Many believe the likes of Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike, and even Augustine Eguavoen, who has been in charge of the team on an interim basis before Chelle's appointment, are equally capable of leading the team.

Check out some reactions from Nigerians on social media below:

An X user @OneJoblessBoy wrote: "Is Éric Chelle better than the likes of Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Emenike, and Sunday Oliseh?"

Another user @Slimchineme tweeted: "How is this guy better than @coacheguavoen? Jokers!"

@unbeaten_unos added: "Instead of this Malian, why not home-based??"

@Olushegz wrote: "No be this man them pour water for head during AFCON omo make una dey carry ice block waka cos he go need am aje 😂😂😂💔"

@elvisodese51 said: "It’s obvious, whoever is running super eagles doesn’t want Nigeria team in next World Cup. Shame!"

@seanelhadji said: "For the calibre of the present super eagles players, I don't think this man is the right choice! Of all the options available out there, this is our best?"

Chelle's appointment brings to an end Augustine Eguavoen's interim role with the Super Eagles.

Eguavoen led the three-time African champions throughout the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and led the team to a first-place finish ahead of Benin Republic, Libya, and Rwanda.