Valencia striker Umar Sadiq has expressed support for new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, stating that the tactician will bring success to the team during his tenure.
The former Mali and AS Oran head coach was appointed earlier this month by the Nigerian Football Federation, to replace Austin Eguavoen who returned to his role as technical adviser, after succeeding Finidi George who left his role in June 2024.
Citing Mali’s journey to the quarterfinals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, Sadiq believes that the National team will experience a successful stint during the 47-year old time in charge.
“You can see what he did in the last AFCON. Everyone was thinking that Mali were also among the favourites.
You can see how they played. They were so good but they got knocked out in the quarterfinals because sometimes it is not the best that wins”, Sadiq said.
Eric Chelle is tasked with securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while he also hopes to secure victory at the 2025 AFCON, as Nigeria look to go one better than their second-placed finish in the 2023 edition.
“I can tell you I watched a lot of games of Mali because I have a teammate there. And you can see how they play. You can see the coach (Chelle) has a lot of things.
I think with the way he plays, if he brings it to Nigeria, the way he plays in Mali, if he brings the type of play to Nigeria, I think we will go a long way forward”, the Valencia forward 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.
