‘Keep the coach’ - Super Eagles captain Ndidi tells NFF to prioritise continuity

As the dust settles on Nigeria’s heart-wrenching semi-final exit from AFCON 2025, the team’s leadership has made its stance clear. 

Wilfred Ndidi, the Super Eagles captain and veteran midfield anchor, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to retain head coach Eric Chelle, regardless of the failure to reach the final.

Ndidi’s powerful endorsement comes at a time of mounting speculation. With Chelle’s mandate originally being to reach the final, and with rumours of interest from Tunisia and Angola, the NFF faces a pivotal decision. However, for the players, the verdict is already in.

Speaking to the media in Casablanca ahead of Saturday’s third-place playoff against Egypt, Ndidi was blunt about what the team needs to move forward.

“All I want is that we keep the coach. We should be focused on continuity at this point,” the former Leicester City star stated.

Ndidi, who has played under a rotating door of managers including Gernot Rohr, Jose Peseiro, and Finidi George, believes that Chelle has brought a level of tactical identity and structural discipline that the team has craved for years.

Ndidi’s intervention is expected to carry significant weight with the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF. Historically, when the core leadership of the Super Eagles backs a manager, the federation is more likely to stay the course.

This endorsement is particularly timely given Eric Chelle’s own recent comments. The Malian tactician has already expressed his desire to stay, even vowing to "bring in more players" and refresh the squad if he is given the chance to lead the team into the next chapter.

• Why the NFF mightlisten

Under Chelle, Nigeria have scored a tournament-high 14 goals, playing a high-pressing "diamond" midfield that has revitalised the team's image.

Locker Room Harmony: Despite a bonus row early in the tournament and an on-pitch spat between Osimhen and Lookman, Chelle has maintained a "family" atmosphere, a fact Ndidi alluded to in his call for stability.

While Ndidi is rooting for the gaffer, Chelle’s audition ends on Saturday. A strong performance against Egypt to secure the bronze medal would provide the perfect justification for the NFF to grant Ndidi’s wish and sign Chelle to a long-term deal.