By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 9, 2025
Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has welcomed new head coach Eric Chelle with a message in French following the Mali tactician’s appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday, The PUNCH reports.
The Nantes winger took to his X account to post “Bienvenue au Nigeria” (Welcome to Nigeria), becoming the first national team player to publicly acknowledge Chelle’s appointment.
The former Mali coach was named as Augustine Eguavoen’s replacement, with the NFF confirming his tenure would begin immediately as the Eagles aim to revive their faltering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Chelle takes over from Eguavoen, who had served as interim head coach since September 2024 following Finidi George’s resignation and the collapse of Bruno Labbadia’s proposed appointment.
Simon, who has earned over 70 caps for Nigeria since making his debut in 2015 and featured in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, will hope the new manager can turn around the team’s fortunes in the World Cup qualifiers.
The three-time African champions currently sit fifth in their qualifying group without a win after four matches, leaving them with a mountain to climb to reach the 2026 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The qualifiers resume in March 2025 with crucial matches against Rwanda – who claimed a shock 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Uyo in November – and Zimbabwe.
Having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana in the playoffs, failure to qualify for a second consecutive mundial would be considered catastrophic for Nigerian football.
While Eguavoen successfully guided the Eagles through their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign, topping a group containing Libya, Rwanda and Benin Republic, the World Cup qualifying struggles ultimately led to the NFF seeking a change in leadership.
Source Punch Ng
Posted January 9, 2025
You may also like...
I am Balotelli’s worst ever coach – Rodgers...
BREAKING: Eagles lose to Argentina, crash out of...
Chelsea Spank Watford to Book Champions League Place...
Lille Coach Hopeful On Osimhen Stay
CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba Optimistic Of Victory Today...
Mourinho vs Pogba: Who wins?
Chukwueze among offensive duel leaders in EPL
U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Quarter-Final Fireworks Set for Easter Sunday
Title talk grows after Itauma’s record-breaking KO
Winners emerge at Ebaretonbofa golf tourney
Chukwu greatest player to wear Eagles jersey – Ikpeba
Nnadozie continues WSL form as Brighton defeat Leicester
Premier League fans back call to scrap VAR
Aruna faces tough draw in ITTF World Cup
Nigeria chase more World Relays tickets in Botswana trials
Itauma vows to change boxing after crushing Franklin
Maiden Eagles call-up shocks Sor
Iwobi gets EPL Player of The Month nomination
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,672 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,994 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,910 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,517 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,442 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,346 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,210 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,750 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,943 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,451 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,853 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,326 views)