\n<\/p>\n
Since leaving Mali, Chelle’s only job has been a short and unsuccessful stint with Algerian club MC Oran.<\/p>\n
Now comes another big step up to manage three-time continental champions Nigeria, the runners-up at the 2023 Afcon.<\/p>\n
Super Eagles fans had expected a high-profile coach to take charge, and Diakite accepts the challenge is “enormous”.<\/p>\n
“I understand the feeling of Nigerian football fans,” he said.<\/p>\n
“He (Chelle) is a young coach. His record is blank [at] the moment, but he is ambitious.”<\/p>\n
Results in the final six rounds of World Cup qualifiers will be crucial in deciding whether Chelle is kept on for the 2025 Afcon, which kicks off in December.<\/a><\/p>\n But Diakite suggests patience is required.<\/p>\n “Malian football fans have a lot of admiration for Eric Chelle.<\/p>\n “I hope that he will have the same consideration in Nigeria.”<\/p>\n Chelle may well lead Nigeria at next month’s African Nations Championship, the tournament for domestic-based players.<\/p>\n NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said the new Super Eagles coach would be the one to manage the side – with the aim of “injecting” Nigerian Premier League players into the senior national team.<\/p>\n “Eric used to follow the local league (Mali Premier Division) a lot. We always found a local player in his national team,” Diakite explained.<\/p>\n In order to win over demanding fans and deliver results with the Super Eagles, Chelle will need to draw on all the experience he has gathered so far.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n