EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian coach Aleshinloye explains how Chelle can succeed with Super Eagles

[p]The 48-year-old will remain at the helm of the three-time African champions after reaching an agreement with the NFF on a new deal, bringing months of uncertainty over his future to an end.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chelle-eric/vFeFaT0s/"]Chelle[/a] was appointed in January 2025 following the resignation of Finidi George, who stepped down just two months into the role. He was given responsibility for guiding the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nigeria/QyqlHmI6/"]Super Eagles[/a] to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; however, the objective slipped away following defeat to DR Congo in the CAF qualifying playoff final.[/p][p]Despite that setback, Aleshinloye, a UEFA B licence holder and one of Europe's emerging data and match analysts, believes retaining the former Mali international is a step in the right direction and could provide the stability Nigerian football has long been missing.[/p][p][b]“Personally, I’m a big fan of coach Chelle. I think it’s a positive decision, provided it’s backed with genuine support and patience,”[/b] he told [b]Flashscore.com[/b] in a no-holds-barred interview.[/p][p]"One thing Nigerian football has lacked over the years is continuity in its structure. We are too quick to change coaches whenever results don’t go our way, and that makes it difficult to build a clear football identity. [/p][p][b]"From my experience as a coach, success isn’t just about tactics. It’s about relationships, trust, consistency, and giving players time to understand a philosophy.[/b][/p][p][b]"Now that the NFF sees his worth and has renewed his contract, they must provide him with the right environment to succeed through proper planning and support. I believe we will see an impact in the team’s stability, (it can) improve the team’s identity, and develop a pathway from grassroots to the national team."[/b][/p][embed guid="64f50c6d-4c93-439e-9c29-e129e52ecbb0" url="https://x.com/Aleshinloye_Ife/status/2072770324555341985" social-type="twitter" /][p]For him, the contract extension was a decision rooted in merit rather than a gamble, dismissing suggestions that the NFF took an unnecessary risk by retaining the Franco-Malian.[/p][p][b]"I believe the decision was based on merit," [/b]Aleshinloye added. [/p][p][b]"From what I've seen, Chelle is an excellent manager, and he has assembled a strong technical team, including Daniel Ogunmodede. [/b][/p][p]"Of course, every coaching appointment comes with an element of risk because football offers no guarantees.[/p][p][b]"What ultimately determines whether such a decision is successful is what happens after the contract is signed. The NFF must resist the temptation to interfere in football matters and instead provide the coach with stability, patience and the support he needs to implement his ideas. [/b][/p][p][b]"Coaches should be assessed over a reasonable period, not judged after every disappointing result. That's how successful football nations achieve long-term progress."[/b][/p][image alt="UEFA coach Aleshinloye" id="4fbb3063-b61d-46ae-92a2-d63b3cc61016" credit-line="Aleshinloye" guid="b1591e4e-68ec-4258-9298-d571c9896bf5" original-width="1284" original-height="860" /][h2]Building an identity must be Chelle's top priority[/h2][p]Beyond a significant salary increase, Chelle's new contract also expands his responsibilities, with the Franco-Malian set to oversee Nigeria's U-23 national team as they prepare for and pursue qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.[/p][p]Although the expanded role has generated mixed reactions in some quarters, coach Aleshinloye is confident the former Lens centre-back has the capacity to manage both assignments successfully. [/p][p]Nonetheless, he insists the tactician’s immediate priority should be building a solid foundation that will make the Super Eagles more competitive, consistent and clearly defined over the next year.[/p][p][b]"The first thing is building a clear identity,”[/b] he continued. [b]“Every successful team has a style of play that people immediately recognise. Right now, Nigeria has quality players, but sometimes we don’t have a consistent style of play. [/b][/p][p][b]"Also, he needs to create healthy competition within the squad. Nobody should feel he is guaranteed a place in the Super Eagles. [/b][b]Selection should be based on form, commitment, and how well a player fits into the system. [/b][/p][p][b]"He should also strengthen the team’s mentality. Talent has never been Nigeria’s problem. Sometimes it’s concentration, discipline, and managing difficult moments during games. [/b][b]As someone who works with players, I’ve seen that confidence and mentality can change everything. [/b][/p][p][b]"Finally, he should integrate the players from the Nigerian league because I strongly believe there are talented players at home who deserve opportunities if they’re performing consistently."[/b][/p][image alt="Chelle, Osimhen" id="968d29f0-77ed-4c62-b99e-16a53e93e0f8" credit-line="Torbjorn Tande / DeFodi Images / Profimedia" guid="a11afc9c-2c62-476f-9a49-9a460e0167ac" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][h2]World Cup blackout must spark long-term change in Nigerian Football[/h2][p]Coach Aleshinloye believes the Super Eagles should be competing at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, insisting the country's absence is difficult to accept given the quality of players available.[/p][p]While several African nations have produced contrasting performances at the global showpiece, he said the country possesses enough talent to compete with the world's elite but has repeatedly fallen short due to off-field distractions.[/p][p][b]"Without sounding immodest, when you look at the quality of Nigerian players across Europe’s biggest leagues, it’s disappointing not seeing the Super Eagles at the World Cup,”[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]“I genuinely believe we have enough talent to compete with the best teams. Having said that, talent alone doesn’t qualify you for a World Cup. Preparation, organisation, consistency, and getting the small details right matter just as much. [/b][/p][p][b]“Watching other African countries compete should motivate us, not discourage us. Nigeria belongs on that stage. Hopefully, this disappointment becomes the fuel that drives better planning and better performances, and that must start now.”[/b][/p][p]After impressive performances against Poland and Portugal in June, the three-time African champions will regroup in September for their AFCON qualifier against Madagascar.[/p][p][b]“We need to start planning collectively for the next 10 years; our approach to major competitions must change,”[/b] he advocated. [/p][p][b]“We need long-term planning instead of short-term reactions. We need more data-backed insights to make decisions regarding recruitment and overall philosophy.[/b][/p][p][b]“We need stronger grassroots development pathways because that’s where the future Super Eagles are being shaped. As someone who’s been involved in grassroots football, I’ve seen incredible talent that simply needs the right coaching, opportunities, and environment.”[/b][/p][image alt="Author" id="d0a8af1a-492d-488b-94b5-fd3ebe4dbb93" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="4d62a84a-5270-4f1c-8bca-062f7ea553af" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]