Football fans in Aba have expressed disappointment over the appointment of a former Mali coach Éric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

Some of the fans in Aba on Wednesday said that the Nigeria Football Federation should have retained the coaching crew led by Augustine Eguavoen.

NFF appointed Mr Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday to guide the nation to pick a 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket.

A football fan, Adindu Udeh, said that the appointment of a new coach at this time was not necessary considering the short period to the World Cup qualifier.

He was of the opinion that NFF should have supported Mr Eguavoen to lead the home-based Eagles to the CHAN tournament and through the World Cup qualifier.

Another sport enthusiast, Jude Obasi, said that he was shocked at the announcement and would have preferred an indigenous coach.

“We don’t really know what the former Malian coach will bring to the table, but I prefer the indigenous coaches because they understand the terrain. What will be our benefit if the new coach fails to take us to the 2026 World Cup finals? Because I know it is going to be difficult considering Nigeria’s position on the table,” he said.

Another football lover, Mercy Udekwe, said that the change was necessary but should not have been an African coach but a European with years of experience.

She said, “This NFF action for me will demoralise our homegrown coaches; at a time other African countries are trusting their coaches, we are taking our coaches for granted.’’

However, another sports lover, Chimaobi Ihezue, said he was not against the appointment of a new coach but was concerned about Nigeria’s qualification for the forthcoming World Cup in 2026.

“If Chelle will take us to the World Cup, let us support him,” Mr Ihezue said.

Mr Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been head coach of the Aiglons since 2022.

The 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career.

(NAN)