‘I Don’t Know If Chelle Can Lead Eagles to CHAN 2024 Glory’ – Akuneto

Former Nigeria international and Oldham United coach, Chukwuma Akuneto, has expressed doubts about Mali-born manager Eric Sekou Chelle’s ability to guide the Super Eagles to their maiden African Nations Championship (CHAN) triumph in August, Completesports.com reports.

Nigeria has yet to win the CHAN trophy, although the team claimed bronze in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2014, and silver in Morocco in 2018. After missing the last two editions, the Super Eagles B team secured their return by defeating Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1 on aggregate. The CHAN 2024 tournament will, for the first time, be hosted across three countries—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

At the draw held in Nairobi on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) placed Nigeria in Group D alongside defending champions Senegal, Congo, and Sudan. Group D is the only four-team group in the tournament, which will feature 19 teams vying for the $3.5 million prize.

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With Nigerians celebrating their return to the competition after a six-year absence, Akuneto told Completesports.com from his base in the United Kingdom that he remains sceptical about Chelle’s ability to deliver the much-anticipated trophy.

“Our local league has propped up in terms of organisation lately and this has positively affected the quality of the NPFL,” Akuneto said.

“So I’m expecting a good performance from our players at the CHAN”, he added.

Asked if he believes Eric Sekou Chelle has what it takes to guide the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL stars to their first CHAN title success in the 2024 CHAN Tournament, Akuneto responded that he doesn’t know.

“I don’t know is the answer, but he is currently coaching in Africa (MC Oran of Algeria) so he understands the football within the continent and his coaching/playing career shows that he is highly experienced in the game.

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“I expect good things but you never get into major tournament with trophies in hand already”.

Akuneto also called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure adequate preparation for the team.

“I hope the NFF provides sufficient support for the team so Coach Chelle can implement his plans and strategies to achieve victory,” he concluded.

By Sab Osuji