Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami has backed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to restore the country’s footballing glory, boldly predicting that the Franco-Malian has the qualities to lead Nigeria to its first-ever FIFA World Cup triumph.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner said he has been impressed by Chelle’s impact since taking charge of the three-time African champions, particularly the coach’s willingness to introduce young players while implementing a clear football philosophy.
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Odegbami’s endorsement comes amid growing support for Chelle from former internationals and football stakeholders following his encouraging start as Nigeria’s head coach and reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is keen to secure his long-term future.
“From what I have seen so far, Eric Chelle has shown that he understands the job. If he is given the right environment and the necessary support, I believe he can achieve something special with Nigeria,” Odegbami said.
The former Green Eagles captain praised Chelle’s courage in refreshing the squad with younger players, arguing that building a team with a long-term vision is essential if Nigeria is to compete consistently with the world’s elite nations.
While acknowledging that winning the FIFA World Cup is an ambitious target, Odegbami insisted Nigeria possesses the talent to challenge the best if the right structures are put in place.
“Nigeria has the players to compete with any country. What we need is continuity, proper planning and an environment that allows the coach to build a team capable of reaching the highest level,” he added.
Chelle has received widespread praise for bringing greater tactical organisation and stability to the Super Eagles since his appointment, with several senior players also publicly expressing confidence in his leadership.
The Super Eagles are expected to continue building under Chelle ahead of their upcoming international fixtures, as Nigeria begins preparations for future continental competitions and the qualification campaign for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
