Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka, has called on Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, to prioritise merit in player selection, ensure adequate preparation and maintain professionalism in the national team’s camp.
Adeyinka, in an appeal to stakeholders in Nigerian football, advocated a system that rewards players based on current form, fitness, discipline, commitment and quality rather than reputation, personal connections or external influence.
He commended Chelle for giving opportunities to players performing well at their respective clubs but urged the Franco-Malian tactician to expand his monitoring of Nigerian players at home and abroad to ensure that deserving talents receive fair opportunities in the national team.
According to him, the Super Eagles coach should be allowed to make technical decisions independently, without interference from government officials, football administrators or influential individuals.
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He maintained that appointing a coach to lead the national team should come with the professional freedom to select players, determine tactics and take responsibility for results.
Adeyinka also emphasised the importance of early preparation ahead of major competitions, urging relevant authorities to ensure that players arrive in camp early enough for tactical drills, fitness training and team-building exercises.
He warned against the practice of assembling the team at the last minute and expecting outstanding results, noting that adequate preparation remains crucial to achieving success at the international level.
The presidential aide further called for a strictly professional environment in the Super Eagles camp, urging officials to prevent unnecessary crowding by individuals without clearly defined responsibilities.
He said the players and technical crew needed a focused atmosphere that would enable them to concentrate fully on their assignments.
Adeyinka noted that Nigeria possesses abundant football talent both locally and internationally, adding that the country needs an effective system that identifies the best available players, encourages healthy competition for places and places national interest above personal considerations.
He said Nigeria’s ambition should be to build a formidable Super Eagles side capable of becoming Africa’s number one team and consistently competing with the best teams in the world.
Adeyinka appealed to coaches, football administrators, players and other stakeholders to work collectively towards creating the right environment for the national team to succeed.
“Nigeria has the talent. Nigeria has the passion. What we need is the discipline, organisation, independence and collective commitment to turn that talent into results,” he said.
He added that putting the Super Eagles first would help restore confidence among Nigerians and build a national team that supporters could believe in.
