Sack Eric Chelle for World Cup qualification failure – Ex-Super Eagles star tells NFF

Former Nigeria international Sam Elijah has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to dismiss head coach Eric Chelle following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria suffered a second consecutive World Cup setback after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a penalty shootout during the CAF play-off final in Rabat last Sunday.

In an interview with allnigeriasoccer.com, Elijah called for decisive action from the NFF.

“I am a coach, for me yes, he should be sacked because he did not give us the World Cup ticket,” he said.

“So, if coach Eguavoen, who is well qualified and has played for the national team, he had captained the national team, gone to the Nations Cup, and he could be told to step aside because he lost a match, that is when they ask Chelle to come around to take over from him. Because they felt he could not qualify for the World Cup.

“They felt he lost some matches that are vital, so if they could ask coach Eguavoen to step aside, then he should step aside too.

“Because what are we looking for? If we cannot go to the World Cup, then he has no business being the national team coach,” he added.

Despite the setback, the Super Eagles are now shifting focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month, where they will compete in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.