Simon welcomes Chelle

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...
Aminu declares NFF illegal, canvasses enabling laws to...

Gomes Completes Lille Move After Leaving Man United...

Police Partners Anambra FA to Promote Football -...

PSG Face Anxious Wait Over Mbappe Fitness For...

Ronaldo hits 100th European club goal as Real...

Monaco ‘ship’ Echiejile to Sivasspor

 

Latest News Anxiety as Edo Election Tribunal Suddenly Relocates to Abuja Amid PDP's Quest to Sack APC PDP Insists on Fubara’s Ally as Party Chairman in Rivers State Opponents no longer scared of Man City - Guardiola Djokovic unsure of Australian Open return Atalanta warn Lookman over potential summer exit Ndidi not for sale – Van Nistelrooy Bauchi gov slams Wike for undermining PDP, divisive politics Injured Djokovic booed off after quitting semi-final 'The fans love Garnacho' - but has he said farewell to Old Trafford? Amusan billed for season opener in Jamaica I love playing in Nigeria – Aina Victor Boniface refutes rumours of breakup with Norwegian partner

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,256 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,408 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,443 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,086 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,033 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,011 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,836 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,401 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,486 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,143 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,576 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,005 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media