Victor Ikpeba Backs New "Super Eagles" Coach

Former Nigeria player Victor Ikpeba has expressed his full backing for the new "Super Eagles" coach Eric Chelle, calling for collective support.

Former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba has expressed his full support for the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, emphasizing the importance of backing him through challenging times.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially appointed the Malian coach as the permanent manager of the Super Eagles on Tuesday. This appointment has sparked considerable debate among Nigerian football fans, many of whom question the 47-year-old coach's capabilities and technical skills.

Despite mounting pressure, Ikpeba, a member of the NFF's technical committee, remains optimistic that Chelle can lead the squad to victory and secure their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a recent interview with a local radio station, Ikpeba voiced his hope that with adequate support, Eric Chelle will successfully navigate the team's qualification process, aiming for the championship and achieving triumph.

He remarked, “The appointment of a coach for the Super Eagles will always generate significant interest. Even if we had appointed Pep Guardiola, complaints would still arise. Eric Chelle is a young coach who can succeed with our support. We are in a tight spot in the World Cup qualifying campaign, and we must back him to get the best from players, who are the main protagonists.”

The three-time African champions currently hold fifth place in their six-team group, having gained just three points from their first four matches in a group with Rwanda, Benin, South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. Chelle will lead the Super Eagles during the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March, with critical matches against Rwanda on March 17 and Zimbabwe on March 24.