Appointment of Chelle as Eagles Gaffer Greeted With Mixed Reactions In Mali, Nigeria
‘Abuja (Core Reporters) ‘Different strokes for different folks’ The appointment of Eric Chelle as the new Gaffer of the Supper Eagles of Nigeria is generating mixed reactions in both Mali and Nigeria.
While Malian Government is yet to come to terms with the sacking of Chelle, Nigerians are questioning the rationality behind the hiring of the former Malian coach.
Reactions of Nigerians sterned from a whopping Fifty five thousand dollars ($55,000 equivalent of (N84,984,900.00) the new coach is expected to earn as monthly salary, as reported by BSN sports. Whereas the Malian Football Federation may be in for a serious problems with the country’s Military Government.
Prior to the official announcement on Tuesday, Nigerian sporting media have engaged in heated arguments on various WhatsApp platforms on why NFF should look for a better coach than the French born tactician.
Parts of the arguments was that the French born tactician lacks the qualities to handle the Eagles, and that his technical know-how was questionable. But, others believed that as a white man irrespective of his technical know-how, the foreign based Eagles players will respect.
Recall that Chelle was announced as Nigeria coach on Tuesday after NFF Executive Committee endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for his appointment.
He will arrive the country on Saturday with two assistants and will be unveiled next Monday in Abuja.
Notwithstanding, the Malian FA are not finding it funny with football fans in the country and coupled with the fact their government frown against the decision to laid him off.
When Eric Chelle left the Malian team after the 2024 AFCON, for many Malians and even the Malian players, it was a shock and a big mistake to have allowed him to leave.
In Eric Chelle’s two year stint in Mali, his Team played one of the best attacking football any Malian national team has ever played. And his results were very visible for everyone to see on the continent with 14 wins , 5 draws and just 3 losses in his 22 games in charge.
It was discovered that some executive members in the Malian FA never liked him because of his resolute to take charge of his team without interference and this was why when the Malian FA announced his departure, the Malian Government persuaded him to come back but he was very reluctant to go back .
