Former Super Eagles Austine Jay Jay Okocha, has urged fans and supporters of the National team to exercise patience with newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle.
The 47-year old was appointed as the head coach by the Nigerian Football Federation earlier this month, and while his appointment has drawn criticism nationwide, with many citing his inexperience as a factor, Okocha has pleaded for Nigerians to give him time to do the job.
“The decision to appoint the new coach was that of the NFF,” Okocha told Lagos Talks FM.
“We should give him a chance to do his job. We should support him as well as the NFF and hopefully we will be at the World Cup.”
The former Bolton Wanderers player also stated the importance of securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the former Mali head coach who replaced Austin Eguavoen who had taken temporary charge of the team when Finidi George left in June 2024, tasked with achieving that.
“We all want the team to qualify for the World Cup because we all benefit when they are doing well.
This is a results business. If we don’t qualify, God forbid, he will be the first to know he has failed”, he added.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
