Former Nigerian international Sam Elijah has called on the Nigerian Football Federation to dismiss head coach Eric Chelle following his failure to qualify the nation for the World Cup, SportPremi reports.
, 48, was appointed earlier this year and was tasked with sealing World Cup qualification for the three-time African champions.
The Super Eagles missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff round on Sunday night.
Nigeria, DR Congo, Gabon and Cameroon had missed out on automatic qualifications after the conclusion of the group stages, but were handed a lifeline through the playoff phase.
The Super Eagles eliminated Gabon 4-1 in their own encounter, while DR Congo pipped Cameroon 1-0 in the other clash.
Following their victory on Sunday, the Leopards have advanced to the intercontinental playoffs for next March in Mexico, as they battle other countries in the hunt for the remaining tickets to the World Cup.
Nigeria have now missed back-to-back tournaments for the first time since making her debut in 1994.
Elijah calls for Chelle’s dismissal
Speaking in a recent interview, Sam Elijah did not hold back on his assessment of Nigerian head coach Eric Chelle.
According to the former Super Eagles midfielder, the 48-year-old should be dismissed from the role for failing to lead the nation to the biggest stage in the world.
“I am a coach, for me yes he should be sacked because he did not give us the World Cup ticket”, the ex-midfielder boldly said.
“Because what are we looking for? If we cannot go to the World Cup, then he has no business being the national team coach.”
The former Nigerian international also made reference to Austin Eguavoen’s dismissal from his role after failing to win a qualifying match.
“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”, he added.
“Because they felt he could not qualify for the World Cup. 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.”
What next for the Super Eagles?
The Super Eagles will head to next month’s African Cup of Nations tournament, hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of 2024.
Nigeria reached the final of that edition, but were beaten 2-1 in the final by Ivory Coast.
The three-time champions will hope to add a first title since 2013 when they begin their campaign in group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.
