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FEATURE ARTICLE
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Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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[email protected] Belgium ![]() |
God's blessings all the way !!!!!!!! It is commonsensical and logical that if one goes to the market to buy a new article to replace an older one, one is expected to purchase at the very least a better article, to justify the replacement of the older article. And, preferably, an article many shades better than the older one. While the rule of logic if obeyed to the letter will under normal circumstance produce a better article; even much better and newer article; but the other side of the coin is that the newer and better or rather much better article, would cost money. And the higher the quality, the more expensive it would be!
The hiring of Coach Chelle taking into consideration the financial realities of the NFF, in one's considered opinion, makes a lot of sense. Coach Eric Chelle, is presently, not a top coach ( but may be one in the future). But is decent enough to be Super Eagles' coach. And, moreover, a cost-effective one at that. Which will give the NFF the necessary financial latitude to easily meet-up with his financial demands; instead owing him months of unpaid salaries, with the concomitant negative consequences for motivation.
He may not be better than Coach Eguavoen on the scale of tactics and technics. But has certainly advantages over him and indeed the other indigenous coaches , on the grounds of being a non-Nigerian. An indigenous coach, may most likely, be bugged by issues of ethnicity and tribalism; problems which bug many a Nigerian. Not because Nigerians are the worst people on earth; but because in the general sense, they are humans and, thus, subject to human frailties; and, specifically, because they are Nigerians. Coach Eric Chelle, being a non-Nigerian, would certainly be neutral in his selection of the team. Also, Coach Eric Chelle, being a non-Nigerian , would most likely be better respected than an indigenous coach. He would be much more 'insulated' or 'resistant' to NFF 'politics'. In order words, he would be in a 'commanding' position to refuse to be dictated to by the NFF. He would most likely be his own man! Unlike an indigenous coach that may want to play the "good boy", to facilitate future patronages by the NFF, even if the present dispensation comes to an end. And also in this context, not having a world class pedigree at the start of the Super Eagles' or indeed for that matter, any coaching responsiblity, is not necessarily tantamount to failure. There are a number of examples of coaches who at the start of their coaching responsibilities even with renowned teams, had little or no pedigree; but went on to achieve big things with their teams, and eventually made themselves "world class" coaches. A number of examples would buttress the point: When Coach Mourinho was made coach of Porto FC of Portugal, he had virtually no pedigree. But went ahead to achieve great things with the team and, eventually, became a " world class " coach! When Coach Pep Guardiola was made coach of FC Barcelona, he only had a small pedigree as coach of FC Barcelona B team! But went ahead to achieve great things with FC Barcelona, to be their best coach till date; and one of the best the game has ever known! When Clemens Westerhoff was made Super Eagles' coach in 1989, he was a 'nobody' coaching wise in his native country, the Netherlands, where he worked as coach. But became a big coach by coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria! And likewise Coach Bonfree Jo. He was also a nobody in coaching before coaching a Nigerian team. He was brought by Coach Clemens Westerhoff as an assistant. But profiled himself to be a big coach by coaching Nigerian teams! Why can't Coach Eric Chelle be a bigger coach by coaching the highly talented Super Eagles' team? This brings us to the next point - the challenges facing Coach Eric Chelle: As Coach Eric Chelle may have realised, more especially in recent times, considering the uproar that followed his appointment, the challenges of coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria, are hugely enormous!!!!!! This would thus far, certainly, be his biggest and may be best appointment. Coaches like Clemens Westerhoff and Bonfree Jo, who left the Super Eagles coaching job many years ago, still have a huge nostalgia for the job! Nigerians are very passionate about soccer, particularly as it concerns their very dearly beloved Super Eagles! A project that unites Nigerians!!!!! They expect nothing but the best at all times. Even if that expectation is not realistic, they hold rigidly to it ! Even one bad result can result in a myriad of wide ranging and varied criticisms. That may question or even threaten a coach's appointment in the first place ! On the other hand, they appreciate success hugely; sometimes to super-exaggerated levels! Coach Eric Chelle , 'inherits' a team that is hugely talented! A team that has the best collection of highly individually talented players of any African national team! As evidenced by having two of its players win back-to-back CAF best player of the year : in 2023 and 2024! A team with players ready and roaring to go, given the stakes! A team that is ready to achieve great things if only the right things can be done, and with a decent dose of luck ! Coach Eric Chelle's job as Super Eagles' gaffer is cut-out for him. And he has the talents to do the job. In other words, he is well-armed for the future challenges with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Conclusion: Coach Eric Chelle finally has gotten his dream job; thus far, his most sought-after job. A job which is the dream of many a coach on the planet! And he is well-armed to succeed on the job. If he succeeds he would be permanently a Nigerian hero! It behoves on him to take his opportunity with both hands! UP COACH ERIC CHELLE ! UP SUPER EAGLES ! UP NIGERIA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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