The news of the new gaffer Eric Chelle for the hot and cold Super Eagles came with multiplier effects on the pains of the edgy fans whose ears would always want to hear good news about their dear team.
All the stakeholders, except the Soldier of fortunes in the apex football house as well as the National Sports Commission, who were involved in this “sham” and “shame” are simply not happy with this appointment.
The delays, that very long, were that the football bodies were looking for the best voice to scream victory from the dugouts but alas, it was a Malian, whose voice was faintly heard from the Eagles of Mali’s bench they finally settled for.
The bodies promised the fans an established coach with results to show for it, a world class coach, most definitely a European, so to speak, but ended up with an African.
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Names were bandied, some of the tested European coaches with African experiences, but all that were only ruses as Chelle, an unknown figure in international football even in the African front, proved to be the best among the bigger names in the eyes of the selectors.
Chelle, 47, was sacked for poor results for his native Mali for crashing their hopes of reaching their first ever World Cup by a tripartite arrangement to be hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
What actually was the rationale behind this appointment when Eagles badly needed quality to navigate through the turbulent waters of Africa to reach the tri-nation arrangement?
Politics, personal interests and underhand businesses?
At this time when the Eagles’ HMS (His Majesty Ship) is sinking?
Who’s toying with our football that seems to be the only unifying umbrella in this severe economic crisis eating the country deep?
But in the face of all these concerns, getting Eagles to the three countries, is a task that must be done and is Chelle the captain that will steer the troubled ship clear?
Eagles sit duck lamely on fifth position in the six-team log with miserly three points and anything less than winning the remaining six games will leave Eagles groaning in pains with broken wings back in Lagos.
That’s the task poor Chelle has signed up for with the backing of the soldiers of fortune. The pictures will continue to get clearer for the “innocent” young gaffer with time.
But does he have the capacity to nick this difficult ticket to the tri-nations?
Admirably qualified, armed with UEFA B certificate and quite young and seemingly enthusiastic to get down to work but where’s the “Europeaness” in him to command respect from the Euro Army?
Born to a European, French father and a Malian mother in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to which Chelle holds a French passport and huge European playing experience, Chelle will have a lot in his hands to prove.
In as much as Eagles are a massive ship to steer for a surprise Chelle choice, the Eagles’ gaffer who failed to fly with the Mali Eagles, Chelle could just well surprise himself by going all the way.
Yes, it could be argued that Chelle lacks what it takes to do the job but the timing of his appointment could change things for the better for him.
His inherited bruised Eagles will do everything possible to land at the Mundial after bitterly missing out in the Qatari train, the first ever in the Middle East and will have no choice than to work with the young gaffer to get the Imperial Super Eagles’ Airlines flying again.
That’s the positive side of the disappointing Chelle appointment that stakeholders should hold close to their chests.
Deals, dirty, shady deals may have been done and sealed on the appointment but then our national pride remains at stake and work must be done.
Chelle may as well turn a hero, when the World Cup qualifiers wrap up in October to which he penned a six-month contract.
Written by Ikenwa Nnabuogor
