Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has made a public appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation to retain head coach Eric Chelle beyond the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The call comes despite Nigeria falling short of the final.
Chelle’s future had appeared uncertain only months ago. His appointment on January 7 was met with skepticism after Nigeria struggled in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In addition, the Super Eagles lost the CAF Playoffs final to DR Congo. However, the narrative shifted during AFCON 2025.
The NFF’s decision to stand by the Franco-Malian coach was rewarded with improved performances. The Super Eagles played with clearer structure, better discipline, and stronger team unity throughout the tournament.
Nigeria eventually exited at the semifinal stage after a narrow loss to hosts Morocco. Nevertheless, the performance was widely seen as competitive and encouraging.
The result set up a third-place playoff clash against Egypt, keeping hopes alive for a podium finish.
Speaking ahead of the playoff, Ndidi stressed the value of stability and long-term planning.
“For continuity, I feel like they should keep the coach because he is a wonderful manager; the only thing we need in this team is continuity,” Ndidi said.
The Super Eagles captain warned that judging progress only by trophies could be misleading. According to him, the growth shown under the current setup should not be ignored. Moreover, players appear to have adapted well to Chelle’s tactical ideas, which has been reflected in their on-pitch confidence.
Under Chelle, Nigeria’s AFCON campaign was marked by controlled buildup play and improved defensive balance.
Furthermore, younger players were gradually integrated, suggesting a vision beyond short-term success.
Meanwhile, Chelle’s contract situation adds urgency to the discussion. His two-year deal expires next January, and extension talks are expected soon. However, reports suggest that Tunisia and Algeria are monitoring developments closely.
Therefore, any delay by the NFF could be costly. Losing Chelle now may disrupt the progress achieved and force another rebuild.
