Yakubu Aiyegbeni Names 2 Coaches NFF Must Not Appoint As Eric Chelle’s Replacement, Video
- Super Eagles legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni has sent a warning to the Nigeria Football Federation over the appointment of coaches
- The NFF are reportedly shopping for a replacement for current Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
- Nigeria have commenced preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for December
Former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has warned the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation against employing two coaches.
The NFF engaged Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles with the mandate of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, following the resignation of legend Finidi George.
Source: Getty Images
Since taking over, the former Mali coach has won six matches, drawn three, and lost one. Chelle also guided the team to a second-place finish in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, behind South Africa in the CAF qualification group C, Al Jazeera.
Unfortunately, Nigeria lost 4-3 to DR Congo in a penalty shootout during the World Cup playoff final, failing to qualify for the intercontinental playoff in Mexico next March, per ESPN.
Aiyegbeni lists coaches Nigeria must avoid
Three-time AFCON bronze medallist Yakubu Aiyegbeni has passed a vote of confidence on current Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.
The Middlesbrough legend warned the NFF against engaging the duo of Augustine Eguavoen or Samson Siasia as managers of the Super Eagles in the near future.
The Portsmouth legend said that neither coach can handle the current crop of players in the squad. He said:
"For Nigeria changing coaches now with Eric Chelle, I think we should allow him take the team to AFCON, it is too close to bring in another coach (Augustine Eguavoen or Samson Siasia); I don't think we need both coaches anymore. We have gone past that era to bring them.
"Eguavoen is being there for three or four times now; when you check his record he did well but not a fantastic job.
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"We should forget about him and look for who we can bring, we should be moving forward and not backward. I don't have anything against them Eguavoen was my coach and we are from Benin but let us bring anyone capable of handling these set of players."
Aiyegbeni eulogizes late Shuaibu and Chukwu
Yakubu Aiyegbeni has showered encomium on late Amodu Shuaibu and Christian Chukwu, rating them as one of the best coaches in Africa during their era.
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The former Everton star said Shuaibu always listened to the opinion of the players whenever they were in camp during major tournaments. He said:
"He (Amodu Shuaibu) is still one of the best African coaches, he listens to players and their opinions as well. Many people disagrees with me but I still believe Shuaibu was one of the best then; he handled the U23 and Super Eagles. Christian Chukwu was also okay too."
Gyan lists countries to win 2025 AFCON
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Al Ain star Asamoah Gyan has tipped the Super Eagles to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) coming up between December 21 and January 18, 2026.
The former Sunderland star explained that this year's edition has giants who are ready to slug it out on the field.
Source: Legit.ng
