Nigeria’s stop-start World Cup qualifying campaign has placed head coach Eric Chelle under fresh scrutiny, with former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana warning the team has lost its identity, Soccernet.ng reports.
With Nigeria on the verge of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Olofinjana has pointed out the need for a ‘good manager' backed with proper support from the football authorities.
The Super Eagles head into their final two qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin knowing that failure to win both could leave their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup hanging by a thread.
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Since the start of the year, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has handed the reins to Chelle, the former Mali head coach, after a turbulent period marked by managerial instability.
José Peseiro, who led Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, walked away after two qualifying draws, citing a lack of backing from the federation. Finidi George stepped in briefly but lasted only two games, a draw and a defeat, before Chelle was parachuted in.
Chelle, the first non-Nigerian African to manage the national team, has steadied results with two wins and two draws in four qualifiers.
But for Olofinjana, Chelsea’s head of African scouting and a veteran of Nigeria’s 2010 AFCON bronze-medal squad, the progress is superficial.
“First, we need to talk about managers,” Olofinjana told Vanguard.
“Different managers come in with different ideas, but they don’t always get the support they need. For example, one manager walked away because he felt he wasn’t being backed enough by the NFF.
“Another came in at a crucial time but didn’t last long either. And yet another had the best record, but some argue he took the job too late to really make an impact.
“The bottom line is this: the constant hiring and firing of coaches is destabilizing. Managers keep coming and going, and that’s not healthy for the team.”
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Olofinjana believes the managerial merry-go-round has left the Super Eagles without a recognisable playing culture.
“From where I stand, the bigger problem is lack of structure and identity,” he added.
“When you watch the Super Eagles these days, you see a team without a discernible pattern. It shouldn’t be so. We should be able to say, ‘This is their style, this is their philosophy.' But right now, there’s no clear identity.”
For Olofinjana, the solution lies not only in the dugout but also in Abuja, where the NFF is accused of undermining its own hires.
“Nigeria is one of the best footballing nations in Africa,” he said.
“We need a good manager, backed with proper support and respect. Otherwise, what happens is managers leave, or they fail, and the cycle continues.
“Without structure, you can’t build. Fans end up frustrated, managers walk away, and players struggle to deliver. Until there’s stability and a clear football philosophy, the Super Eagles will continue to wobble.”
Nigeria’s recent history reinforces Olofinjana's concerns. The team missed out on Qatar 2022 after a shock play-off failure against Ghana, and their current qualifying campaign has been marred by inconsistency.
Chelle’s pragmatic approach has produced results but not performances that convince critics the Eagles can stand toe-to-toe with Africa’s elite.
Nigeria play Lesotho on Friday, October 10, before tackling Benin Republic in Uyo four days later. Chelle's Eagles must deliver victories in both games and hope rival results tilt in Nigeria’s favour.
