Segun Odegbami reveals Eric Chelle’s plan to reform Super Eagles

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami has revealed his change of heart regarding Eric Chelle’s appointment as the head coach of the Super Eagles, disclosing the Franco-Malian’s comprehensive plan to overhaul the team.

With the international break approaching, Chelle is set to lead Nigeria’s national team in his first match as head coach.

Appointed in January, Chelle made history as the first non-Nigerian African to take on this prestigious role.

The 46-year-old has already begun to closely monitor matches involving Super Eagles players, scouting talent for Nigeria’s upcoming World Cup qualification matches.

Currently sitting at the bottom of their qualifying group with just three points from four matches, Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the next World Cup are in jeopardy.

Chelle has been given the task of revitalizing the Super Eagles and securing their place in the tournament, having received praise for guiding Mali to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which helped solidify his appointment.

In his column for Complete Sports, Odegbami, Nigeria’s third-highest all-time goalscorer, compared Chelle’s approach to that of Clemens Westerhof, the Dutch coach who led Nigeria to its golden era in the 1990s.

Odegbami emphasized Chelle’s dedication to scouting Nigerian players worldwide, noting that the coach has thoroughly analyzed players of Nigerian descent, watching each of them in multiple matches to understand their strengths.

“He has been gathering information on all great players of Nigerian descent abroad and keeping their data,” Odegbami wrote. “He passes those born abroad and those that were bred in Nigeria through different prisms for his analysis.”

Chelle’s tactical approach is centered on utilizing the natural strengths of Nigerian players.

According to Odegbami, the coach aims to implement a high-pressing style when the team loses possession, while focusing on fast, confident, and direct play when they have the ball.

Odegbami expressed optimism about Chelle’s methods, recalling how Nigerian football was at its best in the past—emphasizing speed and power in counterattacks and down the wings.

“Finally, it was clear he was not in Nigeria for the money that he would make. He wants to create history for the country and himself,” Odegbami concluded.

The Super Eagles are set to travel to Kigali on March 21 to face Rwanda, before returning home to host Zimbabwe four days later, as they look to revive their World Cup qualification campaign under Chelle’s leadership.