Sack Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, appoint Nigerian - Spiritual leader urges NFF

Spiritual leader Satguru Maharaj Ji has called for the immediate dismissal of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint a Nigerian to lead the national team.

In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday and addressed to President Bola Tinubu and the NFF, Maharaj Ji criticised the continued appointment of foreign coaches, describing it as a “neocolonialist” practice that has stalled Nigeria’s football progress.

According to him, despite Nigeria’s vast pool of footballing talent, the Super Eagles have consistently underperformed due to what he described as a cultural disconnect between expatriate coaches and Nigerian players.

Maharaj Ji argued that Nigeria has many qualified indigenous coaches who better understand the mentality, culture, and psychology of local players, insisting that this connection is crucial for success at the international level.

He warned that relying on non-African coaches weakens team unity and negatively affects performances on the global stage, adding that the approach undermines confidence in local expertise.

The spiritual leader proposed several former Super Eagles stars as potential candidates for the role, including Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amuneke, Augustine Eguavoen, Sunday Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo, and Fanny Amun.

He said appointing a Nigerian coach would mark a turning point for the national team and help restore Nigeria’s footballing pride and dominance.

Maharaj Ji also alleged that undisclosed agreements within football’s governing structures have unfairly prevented qualified Nigerians from leading the Super Eagles, calling for an end to what he termed “exploitative practices.”

He stressed that his stance was not sentimental but rooted in what he sees as a global shift toward African and Black leadership, urging the NFF to trust local expertise.

He further called on the federation to offer a Nigerian coach the same salary, authority, and patience typically extended to foreign managers.

Additionally, Maharaj Ji cautioned against rushing to dismiss any Nigerian coach appointed, noting that transitions in leadership often come with early challenges that require institutional support and patience.

He concluded with a warning to the NFF leadership over potential consequences if his advice is ignored, calling for reforms that prioritise national pride, fairness, and self-reliance in Nigerian football administration.