Former Super Eagles, Nduka Ugbade has strongly advised the Nigeria Football Federation to retain head coach Eric Chelle, insisting that the team is finally beginning to take shape following their third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Ugbade, a contrary decision at this stage would be counter-productive, stressing that meaningful progress in football requires patience, structure, and continuity.
“They shouldn’t send the coach (Chelle) away; they should support him,” Ugbade said. “All these things follow natural science. If you plant tomatoes today and expect to harvest tomorrow morning, that’s a lie.”
Ugbade noted that Chelle is still in the process of building and refining the Super Eagles, pointing to the team’s improved performances in their final matches at AFCON as evidence of steady growth.
“He took over the job and has been polishing the team. We all can see it. In the last three matches, we saw a team that clearly has the potential to be among the best in the world,” he explained.
“If we are serious and follow the right process, we will achieve great things.”
The former Golden Eaglets coach emphasized that the Super Eagles have now spent over a year and a half together, a period he believes is beginning to reflect positively in their understanding, unity, and overall style of play.
“The team is now gelling. Things are beginning to make meaning,” Ugbade stated.
“What remains is to improve certain areas especially defensively. The defence used to be very tight, but now teams can play through it and score. These are things that can be fixed with time and proper planning.”
Ugbade also highlighted the quality, passion, and winning mentality within the squad, using the on field exchange between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as an example of positive competitiveness rather than division.
“Look at the quality of players we have. A match is going on, the Super Eagles are winning, yet players are still pushing each other,” he said.
“Osimhen challenged Lookman not because of selfishness, but because he wants Nigeria to win and wants discipline until the very end.”
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He praised Lookman’s composure and professionalism in handling the situation afterward.
“Lookman remained patient. When asked about it, he said it was a minor issue and that the focus should be on the next match. That shows maturity. He has truly become a Naija guy.”
Ugbade concluded that the Super Eagles are on the right path and that changing the coach now would disrupt the progress already made.
“We have done well. The NFF should not sack Eric Chelle. They should support him and allow the process to continue.”
