Onazi urges Chelle to end dual role and focus on Super Eagles

Former Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has called on the Nigeria Football Federation and head coach Eric Chelle to abandon the coach’s dual role and give his full attention to the Super Eagles.

Speaking to Ifeanyi Udeze on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred breakfast show, Onazi said: “Let Eric Chelle concentrate on the Super Eagles. He has a lot of problems to solve with that team already.”

Chelle currently manages both the senior national side and the Olympic Eagles, Nigeria’s U23 team. The arrangement is set to create a major problem during the November international window, when both teams are due to play on the same dates.

The Super Eagles will meet Tanzania in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header, hosting the first match in Uyo on 13 November before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture on 17 November.

On those same dates, the Olympic Eagles are scheduled to face DR Congo in a U23 AFCON qualifying tie. The first game will be played in Lubumbashi, with the return match taking place in Ikenne.

The fixture clash means Chelle cannot be present with both teams. Former Nigeria international Sam Sodje has already criticised the arrangement, describing the dual responsibility as “ridiculous”.

Onazi, who helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and previously played for Lazio, believes the Super Eagles’ current difficulties require Chelle’s undivided attention.

Nigeria are in a difficult position in Group L of the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers. They began the campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar in Uyo, as George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored for the hosts.

However, four days later, Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in Bissau. Franculino Dju, Mama Balde and Alvaro Djalo were on target as the home side overwhelmed Nigeria’s defence and midfield.

The result left Guinea-Bissau top of the group with six points, while Nigeria have three. Madagascar and co-hosts Tanzania each have one point.

Tanzania have already qualified for the 2027 tournament as co-hosts, meaning only one other team from the group will progress. Nigeria therefore need to overtake Guinea-Bissau and remain ahead of Madagascar, starting with the requirement to take maximum points from their two matches against Tanzania.

Chelle acknowledged after the loss in Guinea-Bissau that Nigeria had been second best, saying the hosts had shown more intensity and motivation.

The Super Eagles have also struggled defensively, with recent matches bringing no clean sheets. Squad rotation, the introduction of new players and the task of rebuilding confidence after the World Cup disappointment remain unresolved.

The dual-role arrangement was designed to provide continuity between the two national teams and create a clearer route for promising home-based and diaspora players to progress. But the November programme has exposed the practical difficulties of that approach.

Assistants can take charge from the dugout, but Onazi believes the senior team needs Chelle’s presence, selection decisions and tactical direction as it tries to recover its qualification campaign.