Super Eagles’ early exit at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) has pitched many Nigerians against Coach Eric Chelle, with many calling for his removal after the 4-0 massacre by Sudan in Zanzibar on Tuesday night.

The defeat, which came after the team suffered a 0-1 opening day loss to Senegal, ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Chelle has since faced heavy criticism over his team selection and tactics, as he was said to have featured six players from a particular NPFL club in first match against Senegal, and also played seven players from the same club in the second match against Sudan.

Some Nigerians are, however, worried that if Chelle cannot make an appreciable impact in two matches at the CHAN tournament, he would face a Herculean task qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That notwithstanding, a former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, feels that the call for Chelle’s sack is out of taste. Ideye, who was part of the Super Eagles 2013 AFCON winning side, said the blame on Chelle was misplaced.

“Let’s keep lying to ourselves and keep blaming someone else every time we fail,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“We are not good enough, that is the bitter truth. It is what you have that the coach will work with, period. And we don’t have what it takes to compete on the bigger stage.”

The home-based Super Eagles under Chelle were horrible at the CHAN tournament. Nigeria’s loss to Sudan came via an own goal from Leonard Ngenge, a Walieldin Khidir penalty, and a brace from Abdel Raouf.

The defeat leaves Chelle’s side at the bottom of their group, with only pride to play for in their final match against Congo on August 19.