With the African Cup of Nations qualifying matches fast approaching, the urgency to appoint a new head coach for the Super Eagles is becoming increasingly pressing. The question on many Nigerians' minds is which coach the NFF will choose, especially as all signs point to the selection of a foreign coach.

Three names have consistently come up in recent months: Herve Renard, Tom Saintfiet, and Eric Chelle, who led Mali to the quarterfinals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire. Pundits who covered the tournament praised Mali's dynamic, attacking style under Chelle, which made them one of the most exciting teams to watch. This approach also led to a significant number of goals during his tenure with the Malian national team.

The Super Eagles have struggled in recent years with a lack of attacking flair, resulting in a poor goal-scoring record. Eric Chelle brings the kind of attacking football that has been missing from the Nigerian national team for nearly a decade. The last time Nigeria played football that truly excited fans was during the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Chelle offers the chance to bring that style back.

Moreover, Chelle's ability to quickly adapt to his environment and turn challenging situations around is exactly what the Super Eagles need right now. With Nigeria's current precarious situation, we require a coach who can hit the ground running and start winning immediately. Chelle's impressive performance during the AFCON qualifiers and the tournament,where Mali lost narrowly to eventual winners Ivory Coast, highlights his ability to lead a team with determination, guts, and commitment—qualities currently lacking in the Super Eagles.

Chelle's win ratio is also worth noting. In his two years with Mali, he managed 22 games, winning 14, drawing 5, and losing only 3. His team scored 36 goals and conceded just 12. Given Nigeria's current challenges, Eric Chelle stands out as the best candidate for the Super Eagles job, far ahead of any other options the NFF might consider.