A former secretary-general of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Sani Toro has called for an end to pressure being mounted on Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, as he reckoned that the Franco-Malian gaffer needs a free hand in order to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With Chelle failing to muster victory for the Eagles at home against Zimbabwe during his second match in charge, as the Warriors forced a 1-1 draw in Uyo, Sports247 reports that the tactician came under instant fire from insatiable Nigerian football fans.
With the Super Eagles haven missed the last Mundial in Qatar and the qualification terrain again already appearing shaky after the first five matches of the qualifiers this time out, Nigerians quickly concluded that Chelle is not the messiah to deliver the seemingly elusive World Cup ticket.
However, Toro, who was the NFA’s scribe when Nigeria qualified for its maiden World Cup appearance at USA ’94, affirmed that he remains cocksure of a ticket to next year’s Mundial that will be co-hosted by the Americans alongside Canada and Mexico, but he quickly added that Chelle will need total support from everyone in order to get the ticket.
Toro advised, “Let us not conclude that Nigeria is not going to qualify. I’ve said it before that Nigeria is going to qualify. Let’s pray for them, let’s support them, let’s give them all the necessary backing and pray for Nigeria to be at the World Cup.”
He continued by taking a look at the terms and conditions given Chelle in his contract with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which he opined made a good choice in tying any extension for the tactician to picking the ticket to next year’s Mundial.
Toro declared, “They have given the coach a target. Let him work towards it and qualify for the World Cup. Let’s give him enough support to achieve it. He should be given a free hand to select the players he knows can help him. We should not be dictating to him.”
The erstwhile football scribe, who was also at a point in time commissioner for sports in Bauchi State, concluded with a view that Chelle should also face the challenge squarely, knowing that his future with the Eagles depends on if he can get the 2026 World Cup ticket, failing which he would surely be asked to leave.
“If he succeeds, well and good, then his contract will be renewed. If he doesn’t succeed, definitely, he’s going to be fired. So, there’s a need for us to be positive about it to make sure we qualify,” Toro solicited.
, Alhaji Sani Toro has called to end to pressure mounted on Super Eagles' coach, Eric Sekou Chelle){kind=link}