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Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has revealed the reason behind the backlash towards Eric Chelle’s appointment.
Chelle was appointed the new Super Eagles head coach by the NFF a few days ago, ending a long-time search.
The Malian will be taking over from interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, who has been in charge of the team since the resignation of Finidi George.
However, following the news of the appointment of the new head coach, Nigerians have questioned the appointment by the NFF.
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16:01 - 10.01.2025
‘I need my flowers’ - Forgotten Nigerian star reacts to playing against new Super Eagles head coach
Forgotten Super Eagles star Brown Ideye responded to a photo that showed him battling alongside Eric Chelle, the current head coach of the Super Eagles.
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14:13 - 09.01.2025
He will work so he can thrive - Ex-NFF Technical Director backs Eric Chelle
Former NFF Technical Director Barrister Chris Green believes that Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles' new coach, will be successful.
Pinnick backs Chelle
The Nigeria Football Federation has come under fire for selecting Eric Chelle as the Super Eagles' head coach.
However, Pinnick has come out to defend the NFF and backed their bold step in appointing the Malian.
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Speaking to Arise News, Pinnick said, "I got a lot of calls when he was announced. I shook my head because before now, I had already done my intelligence about Eric and I came to realize that some people do not know him.
"They are just basing their argument on the colour of his skin. They are just being judgmental about the colour of his skin because he's a black man not the content of his targets and his deliverables."
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23:56 - 06.09.2024
Napoli were unfair to Osimhen — Former NFF president decries
Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick slammed Napoli for their treatment of Osimhen.
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23:42 - 17.07.2024
Amaju Pinnick: Osimhen is humble with me — Ex-Nff president addresses Finidi rant
Ex-NFF boss Amaju Pinnick weighed in on Victor Osimhen's Finidi rant.
"He's got a wonderful record. When he was in Mali, if you you at Mali the last two years they have been very consistent, consistent in the quality of their play.
"Based on what you have seen, statistics from Mali, out of 22 games, he won 14, he drew four (five) and lost just three, which shows that he is an offensive coach and Nigeria, traditionally, we are an offensive team.
"That has technically, automatically, and organically prepared him for the challenges to come.
"He's not just a coach, he's coming with a retinue of backroom staff - a set-piece specialist, match reader, goalkeeper coach.
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"He's also going to be supported by a retinue of backroom staff provided by the NFF Technical Department, so it's not just him. "
Pinnick, a member of the FIFA Council, claims that Chelle's time with the Mali national team has equipped him to handle the Super Eagles.
He defended the NFF's audacious decision to choose the Malian as Super Eagles coach, pointing out that prejudices over Chelle's skin tone are the source of some fan anger.
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