Super Eagles forward, Umar Sadiq, is backing the newly appointed head coach, Eric Chelle, to excel in his role. Chelle was named the Super Eagles' permanent head coach earlier this month, a decision that has faced significant criticism from some quarters of the Nigerian football community.

Despite the backlash, Sadiq is confident that the 47-year-old coach will lead the team to success. Speaking to Sporty TV, Sadiq praised Chelle’s performance in the previous Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Mali impressed many, even though they were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

“You could see what he did with Mali in the last AFCON. Many people thought Mali were among the favorites. They played well, but sometimes the best team doesn’t always win," Sadiq said. “I watched many of Mali’s games because I have a teammate there, and you could tell that the coach (Chelle) has a lot to offer."

Chelle gained widespread attention after guiding Mali to a historic 1-0 victory over the Super Eagles in a friendly match in March 2024, ending a 50-year winless streak for the Malians against Nigeria. His first official match as the Super Eagles coach will be a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Rwanda in March.