Former Super Eagles’ midfielder and assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpala has charged the Nigerian national team’s new gaffer, Eric Sekou Chelle to perform wonders like Arne Slot is currently doing with Liverpool.
Sports247 reports that Okpala, who was fondly called ‘Quicksilver’ in his playing days and captained Nigeria at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, argued that no one should give excuses if Chelle fails to get the Eagles a ticket to next year’s World Cup.
He opined further that anyone looking to blame lack of time and newness on the job as factors that could account for Chelle’s inability to take Nigeria to the Mundial should check how Slot is aiming for the English Premier League title in his first season at Liverpool.
Okpala averred, “Coaches are used to being new anywhere they go. So, let’s not bring ideas thar he’s new and we should give him time to settle down. The man at Liverpool is new, but he’s trying to win the league as a first-timer. I’m not saying it works always, but saying you are new is not an excuse.”
Okpala argued further that Chelle ought to have known the challenge he is up against and should, therefore, not be counting on short-time factor as a saving grace if he fails to deliver the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket to Nigeria.
“It’a normal that coaches are asked to go, and others are asked to replace them. So, if we have to give him a chance, there’s no time for that. Once you take up a team, you are coming to change the situation.
There is no excuse. That was why the person was brought in in the first place. If you can not change the situation, then there’s no need for you to come in; and everybody stays where he is,” Okpala submitted.
