By Korede James
Former Nigeria international Etim Esin fears new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle may struggle to command the respect of the star players in the team.
Chelle, who has dual Mali and French citizenship, was announced as the Super Eagles head coach on Tuesday and has been tasked with qualifying the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Also, the former Mali coach will be in charge of the Super Eagles B at next month’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).
Reacting to the appointment, Esin, in an exclusive interview with Sportingtimes.ng, said Chelle does not have the pedigree to coach the Super Eagles.
“What kind of appointment is this? A whole big country like Nigeria? If the NFF want to give us a coach at least it should be someone that is prominent, someone that has something in his CV,” the former midfielder said.
“I’ve not heard of this coach, I don’t know his teammates, I don’t have an idea who he is. We have capable hands who can do the job why bring in someone with no pedigree? This appointment doesn’t make sense.
“Keshi coached Mali; we can see the pedigree, he won AFCON as a player and a coach, went to the World Cup, won everything a player can win in Europe, his CV is sound.
“Will this new coach be able to command the dressing room of Osimhen, Lookman and others? These players would not look up to him on any level.”
The Chile 1987 U-20 World Cup star expressed fear over the future of football in Nigeria.
“The future of our football doesn’t look bright, it’s bleak. There are competent coaches like Harvey Renard who would have made sense to me,” Esin said.
“Let’s see how everything goes but this appointment, I’m not for it.”
