Tremendous Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has warned his nationwide teammates that Eric Chelle shall be a really demanding coach, Soccernet.ng studies.
The Nigeria Soccer Federation introduced Chelle as Tremendous Eagles coach at first of the yr, changing Augustine Eguavoen, who had been interim coach.
Chelle’s first job is to steer Nigeria in opposition to Rwanda and Zimbabwe within the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month. The Franco-Malian gaffer already launched his 23-man squad for the video games billed for later this month.
Usually, when nationwide workforce coaches are employed, they attain out to the workforce leaders to talk to them about their plans and search their assist.
Galatasaray hitman Osimhen has admitted that Chelle has already reached out to him. And whereas the 47-year-old tactician has assured him of a superb working relationship, he additionally calls for a excessive degree of dedication.
“I do know him (Chelle) from the earlier AFCON with the Malian workforce. He’s a coach that likes to play and he actually likes to combat,” Osimhen mentioned on the Obi One Podcast.
“He’s going to be very demanding. He mentioned that he wants me and the senior gamers on the workforce to work with him to attain wonderful issues for Nigeria.
“However he mentioned the one who doesn’t run or combat for each ball won’t play. He was clear with me. He mentioned he is usually a massive brother or an uncle to everyone. However on the pitch it’s enterprise, if the youthful gamers see us working loopy, they may do it additionally.”
“He mentioned, ‘I’d scream at you guys, I’d do quite a lot of stuff, however don’t take it to coronary heart.’ And I agree with him as a result of Nigeria is a bit nation with hundreds of thousands of gamers.
“For those who’re privileged to placed on the Tremendous Eagles jersey, you must give every part. We’ve gotten a coach that could be very demanding.”
Can Chelle succeed with the Tremendous Eagles?
Nigeria has one of the vital gifted groups on the continent, however all that expertise is but to be transformed to silverware. The workforce got here near profitable the Africa Cup of Nations final yr, however they have been stopped by hosts Ivory Coast.
Since then, it has been a rollercoaster. Chelle’s appointment is anticipated to convey some calm and co-ordination into the Tremendous Eagles fold.
He confirmed a little bit of what he can do on the final AFCON, as he set them as much as play stunning soccer, albeit they have been knocked out within the quarterfinal.
He’ll look to convey that model of soccer to Nigeria and get their push for a spot on the 2026 AFCON again on observe.
