By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Eric Chelle is determined to enjoy a successful reign as head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Chelle’s appointment came as a surprise and has been greeted with criticism from fans and pundits.
The 47-year-old is however ready to prove he is the right man for the job.
“Already, there are a lot of people who say that I don’t have much experience. But ultimately, I do have experience. I ended my career in 2014, and I’ve been coaching since that year,” he declared in an interview with matinlibre.com.
“I coached a team, let’s say, from West Africa (Mali) not long ago. I coached a team in Algeria, the Mouloudia Club d’Oran.
” So, I’m starting to get to know African football well. Today, I feel ready to lead this great team with great players. So, I’m part of the progression process; the players will help me progress, and I will help them progress too. Because I have a vision of football that will really fit well with this team.”
Chelle also said he is ready for the pressure attached with coaching one of the biggest national teams in the world.
“We play football; it’s normal that there is pressure. It’s normal that there is criticism. Today, I will work; I have certainties; I have my game plan in mind, and I will quickly put it in place,” he added.
“Now, my results and the team’s results will speak for me. So, we can say what we want, but, at the time we speak, the coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, his name is Eric Chelle.”
