Nigeria’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has urged fans and media to avoid distracting Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle with speculation or comparisons, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former KAA Gent defender urged Nigerian football faithful to avoid distraction and allow the new manager to concentrate on crucial assignments ahead.
Chelle, who signed a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is overseeing Nigeria’s push to return to the FIFA World Cup and challenge strongly at the Africa Cup of Nations.
What Eguavoen said about Eric Chelle
When asked whether he was impressed with the tactician’s achievements so far, Eguavoen responded emphatically.
“In one word, yes. Yes, that’s one word — yes. Are you not impressed?” he said.
Former KAA Gent star urges Nigerians to back Eric Chelle
The former Super Eagles defender stressed that Nigeria must back Chelle fully rather than get caught in side-conversations, especially at such a critical stage.
“I won’t go into that. He has the job he’s doing right now. Let us focus. Let us not be distracted. Let us not make him uncomfortable,” Eguavoen warned.
“We have something in front of us — World Cup playoffs and AFCON. Let us focus on that. You are just saying Nigerians are saying this and that. I don’t think that’s true. I don’t think anything like that is on the pipeline. Let us let him focus, please.”
Nigeria advanced to the World Cup playoffs after a late surge in qualifying, including a decisive win over Benin in Uyo.
Our opponents for the African World Cup playoff semi-final are Gabon .
Win here, reach the final and then the inter-confederation playoffs await.
Save the date ️#SoarSuperEagles | #RoadTo2026 | #FIFAWCQ | #Naija4thewin pic.twitter.com/jJZQH1pJnq
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 15, 2025
Chelle and his technical crew are now gearing up for the knockout round in November—a high-pressure route that will determine whether the Super Eagles return to football’s grandest stage after missing Qatar 2022.