Gara Gombe, former Gombe FA chairman, has criticized the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for appointing Eric Chelle as Super Eagles coach, calling him a "kindergarten coach." Gombe questioned Chelle's qualifications, expressing concern over the decision to appoint someone with limited experience to manage top-tier players.
Gara Gombe, the former chairman of Gombe FA, has criticized the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for appointing Eric Chelle as the new coach of the Super Eagles. He called Chelle a "kindergarten coach," expressing disappointment in the decision to hire someone with relatively limited experience to manage such a high-caliber team.
Chelle, a former international player with five caps for Mali, was named Super Eagles coach on January 7, 2025, after the NFF Executive Committee endorsed the recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. His coaching career includes stints at clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, but Gombe voiced concerns about his lack of significant achievements in top-flight football management.
In his remarks to Brila FM, Gombe questioned Chelle's qualifications, stating that he was unknown to many and did not have an impressive track record. Gombe further emphasized that the Super Eagles, known for their world-class players, deserved a coach with more experience and proven success. He expressed frustration over the long wait for a new coach after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, criticizing the NFF for settling on what he perceived as an unsuitable candidate. Gombe’s remarks have stirred debate on the suitability of Chelle for the prestigious role.
