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...
Akpom to wear No.10 shirt at Ajax
World Cup: Keshi’s Assistants Tackle Obasi Over Bribery...
Tottenham Crash Out Of FA Cup With Norwich...
Rohr Cries Out Over 2021 AFCON Qualifying Schedule,...
Ronaldo, Messi And Neymar Are My Idols —...
Ndidi in action as Leicester City triumph over...
Priestly Ordination: Igbawase Irotier Family Now Has A Priest
W’Cup: Nigeria’s wait continues as FIFA delays DR Congo verdict
Athletes protest as Ogun award N474m for NSF medallists
Ajagba eyes tougher fights after knocking Martin out
Eagles to face Jordan in March friendly
Senegal coach hails Falconets strength in W’Cup qualifier defeat
Chelle eyes foreign Eagles to strengthen Nigerian team
_3.jpg)
Nobody'll Stop Me From Contesting 2027 Election, Obi Vows -Even If It Holds in Their Bedroom -Assures Youths Of Accountability In Governance
FIFA Monday meeting to determine Eagles’ World Cup fate
Adesanya keen to prove GOAT status
Davis Cup: Ochei sparks Nigeria’s tennis revival
56 grassroots clubs battle for Taiwo Afolabi Cup
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,562 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,868 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,779 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,418 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,333 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,252 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,120 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,668 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,838 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,368 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,760 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,228 views)