“There has to be a scapegoat” – Mali star Sinayoko issues verdict on Eric Chelle as Super Eagles coach

AJ Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko has voiced his delight over Nigeria’s decision to appoint Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

Sinayoko, a key player for Mali under Chelle, played a pivotal role in the team's run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last year, where they came agonizingly close to a semifinal berth before losing to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.

The 25-year-old made his international debut in 2021 under former Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba but was overlooked for two years before Eric Chelle recalled him to the squad.

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Chelle’s faith in Sinayoko paid off as the forward scored three crucial goals at AFCON—against South Africa, Tunisia, and Burkina Faso in the Round of 16.

Lassine Sinayoko

The Mali forward is the TotalEnergies Man of the Match after scoring in his team’s win over Burkina Faso! ✨#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #MLIBFA | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/CnWne5NXSz

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 30, 2024

Sinayoko credits Chelle for reviving his international career and describes him as more than just a coach, hailing his character and courage.

The Mali international confesses he is pleased with Eric Chelle's new appointment as Nigeria’s head coach.

“I am very happy for him (Chelle) because before being a good coach, he is a good person,” Sinayoko told RFI.

“He had the courage to put me in the starting line-up in a competition as important as the AFCON in front of players who play in more exclusive clubs, in the Champions League. What is happening to him is deserved.”

Chelle faced criticism for Mali’s quarterfinal exit, with many blaming his substitutions for the defeat to Ivory Coast.

Sinayoko, however, believes his former coach was unfairly scapegoated.

“I heard a lot of people say that the elimination from the AFCON was because of his substitutions, etc, Sinayoko noted. “For me, it has nothing to do with it. In the previous match against Burkina, he made the same changes and that went very well. Nobody said anything. There always has to be a scapegoat.”

While Mali exited the AFCON in the quarterfinals, Nigeria advanced to the final, narrowly losing to Côte d’Ivoire.

With the Super Eagles already qualified for the next edition of AFCON, Chelle’s immediate focus will shift to ensuring Nigeria secures a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.