Yakubu Aiyegbeni Warns NFF: “Sacking Chelle Now Would Be Madness – No More Siasia or Eguavoen”

Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has warned the Nigeria Football Federation against sacking under fire boss Eric Chelle just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco.

Chelle has faced heavy criticism since failing to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup, despite his side going eight competitive matches without losing in normal time. The pressure has sparked fresh calls for a coaching shake up, with some fans pushing for familiar faces Samson Siasia or Augustine Eguavoen to return.

But Aiyegbeni, who starred in the Premier League with Everton and Portsmouth, says that era is done. Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, he insisted the national team must stop recycling the same local managers and instead focus on long term planning.

“We always struggle to get a decisive coach when it matters,” he said. “We say we need a foreign coach, and I agree, we still need a foreign coach. It’s too close to the AFCON to bring in another coach.”

The Yak added a pointed message for those clamouring for old favourites: “I don’t think Siasia or Eguavoen are needed anymore. We’ve gone past that era. I think we should sit together and look for whom to bring. It’s time to move forward, not backwards.”

Nigeria open their AFCON campaign in just four weeks, with Chelle expected to announce his final squad soon. The tournament could define his future, as failure to challenge for the title may push the NFF toward a major overhaul after years of managerial uncertainty.

For now, Aiyegbeni says stability is key, but pressure on Chelle isn’t going away anytime soon.