The decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint Eric Chelle as the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria has generated a whole lot of debate and controversy since it was made public two days ago, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle was announced as the new coach of the Nigerian team who were powered in the AFCON qualifiers for three months by the technical director of the football house in Austine Eguavoen in interim capacity.

Eguavoen will now return to his role with Chelle expected to be in the dugout when the world cup qualifiers resumes in March. He will be hoping to lead the Super Eagles to their first win in the qualifiers after three draws and a loss in their first four games of the series.

Many Nigerians are skeptical of the decision by the NFF owing to the fact that he was fired by Mali after a home loss against Ghana was followed with a 0-0 draw away to ten man Madagascar, leaving the team in a tight spot to qualify for the world cup.

Reacting to an Instagram live broadcast on the appointment of the coach, Ekong who is the captain of the team called for focus and support for the new man in order for him to put the Super Eagles world cup qualifiers campaign back on track.

“Good afternoon gents. Let’s be positive and support the decisions and team for 2025. We are FULLY focussed on success”, he posted in the comment section of the live broadcast that was largely critical on the appointment of the coach.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

One of the players who will be hoping to catch the attention of the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Nathan Tella did his case a whole lot of good with a screamer for Bayer Leverkusen in a 3-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Tella who has just one senior cap for the senior national team of Nigeria hasn’t been involved with ten team for almost a year, no thanks to his lack of game time with the German champions. Something that has changed the past few months.

With the appointment of Chelle, the 25 year old will be hoping for another chance with the team when the world cup qualifiers resumes in March. He did his chances a whole lot of good against Dortmund.

He repaid the faith of coach Xavi Alonso who handed him a start with a stunning goal less than two minutes into the game against Dortmund, it was his first goal in the league this season in what was his fifth start in the 11 games he has played this season.

His opener powered the team to a 3-2 win and also lifted them to second spot, just a point behind league leaders Bayern Munich although they have played a game more.

Ade Emmanuel

French Ligue 1 side Reims have failed in their bid to convince 18 year old Nigerian defender Vince Osuji to join them in the January transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osuji has been a revelation for Swedish side Kalmar this season just a year after his transfer from Nigeria. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed by teams in top leagues.

Earlier this week, Sportbladet reported that French Reims were chasing Vince Osuji – while FotbollDirekt reported that they are willing to pay a club record transfer fee for a youngster to Kalmar.

FotbollDirekt has however confirmed that the proposed move won’t be happening owing to the non interest of Osuji in making the move this January. According to the publication he said no to the idea of moving to the Ligue 1 side.

His refusal made the club to settle for another young defender in Malcolm Jeng of fellow Swedish side Sirius. He will cost them less than what they were willing to pay for the Nigerian.

Daniel Martins

The newly announced coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is facing a tough task in his break his contract with his current club MC Oran of Algeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Chelle was announced as the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria two days ago, but the deal is far from certain with MC Oran unhappy with the conduct of the NFF to announce their coach while he is still under contract with them.

Although Chelle’s deal has a clause that allows him to leave in the event of an offer from a national team, MC Oran are holding out for a compensation fee owing to the manner which the NFF announced the coach without seeking their consent.

Talks are ongoing to severe his agreement in order for him to arrive in Nigeria on Sunday as planned, and sources say the coach is open to paying the amount the Algerian club will demand for his release as he gave the NFF the permission to announce his appointment.

Earlier today progress was made leading to speculation of a possible agreement, before he will be allow to travel to France ahead of his trip to Nigeria on Monday.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

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The technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Austine Eguavoen will be available to assist the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Eguavoen who is the technical director of the NFF held the position as head of the team in interim capacity all through the qualifiers for the AFCON, where the team made it with two games to spare.

Chelle will now take over as the coach with the upcoming world cup qualifiers games in March his first assignment at the helm. It will be the first game of his short term deal which covers the period of the world cup qualifiers that ends in October.

He will come with two of his assistants with the Nigerian coaches who are presently handling the CHAN team expected to also be a part of the crew. Eguavoen will also be a part of the crew.

” He (Eguavoen) is the technical director and it’s normal for the new coach (Chelle) to work closely with him. It’s more imperative because he handled the team all through the AFCON qualifiers. It’s nothing new”, a chieftain of the NFF revealed.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The English Premier League duo of Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers have opened talks with Sevilla over the signing of Nigeria international forward Kelechi Iheanacho in the ongoing January transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Iheanacho joined Sevilla in the summer on a free transfer from Leicester City, but hasn’t found the going smooth with just three goals in 11 appearances across all competitions.

Sevilla are open to his exit and have already held talks with the aforementioned English Premier League duo, there is however no substance to reports linking the 28 year old with a move to Egyptian giants Al-Ahly.

The one stumbling block to his January exit could be the terms of the deal and his wages. It is believed that Sevilla will want an outright sale or a loan deal that will see the other club cover his wages.

On his part Iheanacho s looking for a move that will define the remainder of his career owing to his age, hence is keen on negotiating the best financial package which isn’t feasible most times in the January transfer window.

Daniel Martins

A cross section of players of the senior national team of Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new coach of the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the substantive coach of the Nigerian team, replacing Austine Eguavoen who held fort in interim capacity all through the qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON.

His appointment has generated mixed reactions, but not for the players of the team as they are in total support and agreement with the decision of the NFF to hire the 47 year old former coach of Mali.

As many as six players of the team whose opinion we sampled using a backroom staff of the team expressed their hope and optimism that the Malian will achieve success with the team.

” I think the opposition is more about his country of origin. However as players we have no issues with that and we are excited to hit the ground running with him in the world cup qualifiers”, a member of the team said.

” He ( Chelle) is a modern day coach and a sound tactician and I am excited to get to work with him. As players we spoke after his appointment and he can count on our support to help us reach the next world cup”, a senior player in the team added.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The chances of the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria joining Kaizer Chiefs from fellow PSL side Chippa United before the close of the transfer window appears to be slim, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nwabali is widely expected to depart modest Chippa United in the January transfer window to a title challenging side, owing to his status as the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria.

He didn’t mince words when he was asked the team he will love to play for in South Africa when speaking about his future in October.

“To be honest, Kaizer Chiefs is really one of the clubs I really want to play [for],” Nwabali told Metro FM.

“This is the club I want to play [for] in South Africa, with all my heart. I won’t say I have been supporting them but this is the club I felt I want to play for”,

That dream is not likely to materialize in January with the club now pushing to sign Zambian goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata of Zesco United.

“Yes, Chiefs have inquired about Toaster (Nsabata). You will remember him at Sekhukhune United. He is one of the best goalkeepers that the team can look at and they are convinced that he can help the team in this difficult times,” a source revealed to the Siya crew.

“He is currently part of the Zambia national team and is Zesco United’s first choice keeper and he has been doing very well. It’s believed that Chiefs have inquired about him. This could be a good signing as the team still looks at improving the goalkeeping department.”

Daniel Martins