Oparaku Urges NFF to Decide Chelle’s Future Early

Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make an early decision on the future of Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, stressing that clarity is needed to begin preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria is still awaiting FIFA’s verdict on its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which could determine any slim chance of reaching the next finals.

In the meantime, Chelle has reportedly sent a 19-point demand to the NFF, including a request for a salary increase to $130,000 per month to extend his current deal that runs until January 2027.

The 48-year-old, currently earning $50,000 monthly, has been linked with jobs at Marseille, Algeria, Gabon, and Angola.

Oparaku, who featured as a right-back for the Eagles, emphasized the importance of stability in the coaching setup.

He warned that indecision could lead to another World Cup disappointment, urging the federation to act swiftly.

‘We have to be stable on the coaching side… If we want to qualify for the next World Cup, we have to start now,’ he told Brila FM.