Be stubborn — Ex-Super Eagles star tells Chelle how to win as Nigerian coach

Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh urged Eric Chelle to be more stubborn and resist external influence when deciding the squad, setup and tactics for the AFCON. 

Despite Oliseh’s apprehension about Chelle's appointment, as he preferred that a Nigerian be given the job instead of another African, the 1994 AFCON champion praised the French-Malian for the job he has done so far. 

During a recent appearance on the Football Insight show, Oliseh expressed his optimism, believing that the Super Eagles can go all the way in Morocco. However, to achieve that goal, the former Ajax midfielder insisted that Chelle has to be stubborn. 

“Inasmuch as people are pessimistic, I am very optimistic that the Super Eagles can do very well at this tournament,” Oliseh said. “The first thing I think the manager has to do is to grow a bit stubborn. He has to grow stubborn because it is no secret that people from outside will try to influence who plays and who doesn't.

“I think he has to be firm and stand his ground to show personality. He is responsible for making the team and deciding who's going to play.

“The team needs leadership, but a kind of leadership that they respect, not leadership that they fear or they like.

“At the moment, I don't think anyone doubts the respect the team has for Ndidi, and he's a player who plays every game. I'm not pushing for who will be captain, but I think he will be the captain since he captained the last game

“He has to be clear tactically. Peseiro was very defensive in the last Nations Cup; there is nothing wrong with us having a more compact game. Against DR Congo, we were too loose, too open, and they ran rings all around us. That, I think, is something that has to be done.”