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...
NBBF Promises Financial Support For Ailing Onah Deborah...
City aim to build on Euro run against...
Mikel Agu Cup: Eagles Wings Soar, BJ, Ine...
Blow For Bundesliga Plans As Dresden Squad Put...
Zambia beat Guinea-Bissau to boost 2019 AFCON hopes...
NFF should name substantive coach immediately – Onigbinde...
Solaja re-emerges BFN South East rep
Usman makes welterweight title claim
I cried day I got Super Eagles call-up – Fago
Osimhen strikes down stubborn Juve to book round 16 spot
Ogazi wins SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Falcons begin training ahead Lionesses clash
Newcastle cruise 9-3 into UCL last 16, Leverkusen dump out Olympiacos
Finidi wary of difficult Barau test
Pillars coach optimistic of NPFL survival
Cricket: NCF sets date for 2026 Women’s T20i
Unbeaten Oshoba keen to extend dominant UK run
Family supports Joshua’s return despite fears — Uncle
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,580 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,890 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,811 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,432 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,347 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,261 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,136 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,682 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,854 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,378 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,769 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,244 views)