Former Nigeria football icon, Segun Odegbami has made a U-turn, backing new coach Eric Chelle to succeed with the national team.
Odegbami, who initially criticized the Nigeria FA for hiring the former Mali tactician has now thrown his weight behind him.
The 47-year-old recently joined Nigeria as the 42nd official head coach in the team’s history. Chelle, a former Mali international and head coach, made history as the first non-Nigerian African to take the reins of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team.
In a dramatic turn of event, Odegbami compared Chelle’s strategy to that of Clemens Westerhof, the Dutch coach who is credited for the Super Eagles in the 1990s.
He emphasized Chelle’s dedication to tactical discipline, scouting, and creating a team that plays with strength, speed, and confidence.
“He has been gathering data on all great Nigerian players at home and abroad,” Odegbami wrote. “He watches each of them at least five times in different matches to analyze their strengths and weaknesses.”
Chelle’s philosophy revolves around pressing high when out of possession and executing fast, decisive counterattacks, a hallmark of Nigeria’s most successful teams.
“These are tactics taken straight from the playbook of Father Tiko and Clemens Westerhof,” Odegbami added. “He reminded me of how Nigerian football was at its best—quick forwards, swift counterattacks, and explosive play down the flanks.”
Chelle faces an immediate test, as Nigeria prepares for two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe on March 25.
Currently sitting fifth in Group C, Nigeria trails Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. With only the top team earning automatic qualification, Chelle must deliver results quickly to keep Nigeria’s World Cup hopes alive.
