Former Super Eagles defender Sam Elijah urges the Nigeria Football Federation to sack head coach Eric Chelle following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing unmet primary mandates and past precedents.
According to a report from allnigeriasoccer.com, former Super Eagles defender Sam Elijah has publicly called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to dismiss head coach Eric Chelle following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles’ hopes for the global tournament were extinguished after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo, with the match concluding 1-1 after extra time.
This result has significantly amplified criticism directed at the Malian tactician, who took charge after the departure of Augustine Eguavoen.
In an exclusive interview with the website, Elijah insisted that Chelle had not fulfilled his primary mandate and should be relieved of his duties immediately, well ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The former defender was resolute in his assessment, stating: “I am a coach, for me yes he should be sacked because he did not give us the World Cup ticket.”
Elijah stressed that Chelle must be held to the same high standards applied to his predecessor. He argued that Eguavoen, despite his qualifications and history with the national team, was asked to step aside for failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Elijah elaborated:
“So, if coach Eguavoen, who is well qualified and has played for the national team, he had captained the national team, gone to the Nations Cup, and he could be told to step aside because he lost a match, that is when they ask Chelle to come around to takeover from him.
Because they felt he could not qualify for the World Cup,” he added. “They felt he lost some matches that are vital, so if they could ask coach Eguavoen to step aside then he should step aside too.”
The defender concluded by emphasizing that the World Cup remains the nation’s top priority, asserting that failure to reach the global stage should automatically disqualify a coach from continuing in the role.
“Because what are we looking for? If we cannot go to the World Cup, then he has no business being the national team coach,” Elijah stated.
Nigeria is scheduled to compete in Group C at the upcoming AFCON, where they will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.