Former Nigeria international Taiwo Oloyede has welcomed the decision to retain Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle but says the Nigeria Football Federation must allow the Franco-Malian to work without interference.
Oloyede admitted he still has reservations about the coach but believes Chelle has shown enough promise to deserve another opportunity with the national team.
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“I’m pleased Eric Chelle has been given another contract, but I hope it’s on a short-term basis,” Oloyede said.
The former international credited the Super Eagles players for buying into Chelle’s philosophy, insisting their commitment has played a major role in the team’s recent improvement.
According to him, the players’ willingness to fight for the coach has helped create a more united dressing room.
“The players are giving everything for him, and that’s one of the reasons the team has improved,” he added.
Oloyede, however, urged the Nigeria Football Federation to honour one of the conditions that reportedly convinced Chelle to remain in charge.
He stressed that the coach should be given full control over team selection without external influence.
“The NFF must keep its hands off his team selection. If they’ve given him the job, they should allow him to do it without interference,” he stated.
While expressing cautious optimism about Chelle’s future, Oloyede maintained that giving the coach the freedom to build the team his own way will offer the Super Eagles their best chance of long-term success ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
