When Ghana crashed out of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers without a single win, many believed Otto Addo’s time as coach was over, Footynaija.com gathers.
It was the kind of failure that usually ends a national team manager’s job. But instead of firing him, the Ghana Football Association made a bold move by keeping faith.
Addo had only just been reappointed in March 2024. This was followed by a mixed start for the Black Stars, which led to a collapse in public confidence.
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What many Nigerians are calling for today, with some Super Eagles legends demanding Eric Chelle’s sack, mirrors what happened in Ghana. Ghanaian legend Mohammed Polo was among those who openly doubted Otto Addo, and said the former Borussia Dortmund scout wasn’t up to the job
Yet, the GFA refused to bow to pressure. They restructured Addo’s backroom team, brought in new assistants, and gave him time to rebuild the squad’s confidence.
That patience is now paying off. Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Ghana have started to look like a proper unit again. Addo’s men play with sharper movement, better structure, and renewed belief.
His turnaround is a lesson Nigeria’s football leaders must pay attention to as Eric Chelle continues his own challenging start with the Super Eagles.
Nigeria and the Chelle Question
Chelle’s early spell with the Super Eagles has been mixed. The team has shown energy and promise, especially in wins like the 2-0 victory over Rwanda and the 2-1 result against Lesotho in Polokwane. But they have also dropped points that have left World Cup qualification on a knife-edge.
If Nigeria eventually falls short, the usual calls will follow. Fans will demand heads. As they are already doing, pundits will question tactics. The NFF will feel the pressure. But this is exactly where Ghana’s story under Otto Addo becomes relevant.
- Early setbacks don’t always mean mean there’s no potential.
Addo’s AFCON run was a disaster, but Ghana’s FA looked beyond the numbers. They saw a coach who still had fresh ideas and a squad that could improve.
Chelle’s Nigeria has also shown glimpses of growth. His team presses better, defends in numbers, and has started building partnerships across the pitch. The process may look slow, but there are signs of a system forming.
- Stability breeds confidence
Every time Nigeria changes coaches, players start over. New systems, new drills, new philosophies. It kills momentum. Keeping Chelle gives the Super Eagles something they have lacked for years: continuity. The players will adjust to his methods, and the coach will understand his squad better. That familiarity often turns into better results over time.
- Fix the system, not just the man
When Ghana kept Addo, they didn’t ignore his mistakes. They improved the environment around him. New technical staff were added, preparation improved, and planning became more organised. Nigeria can do the same. If Chelle’s issues are in certain areas like fitness work, scouting, or tactical execution, those can be fixed without tearing everything apart.
- A new coach isn’t always the answer
Sacking one coach and hiring another might look like progress, but it can also create confusion. A new face means another learning curve. It takes months for players to adapt to different methods, and before long, the team might be back where it started.
From Gernot Rohr to José Peseiro and Finidi George, the constant changes haven’t brought lasting success. The NFF must think carefully before choosing another quick fix.
What the NFF Should Focus On
Even if Nigeria fail to reach the 2026 World Cup, the team can still use this period to build something lasting. The next AFCON cycle, the next qualifiers, the next generation — these are all opportunities for growth if continuity is maintained.
Ghana went from embarrassment to belief because their football leaders refused to panic. They trusted their process, improved their structure, and gave the coach another chance to prove himself.
Eric Chelle might not have delivered perfection yet, but there is evidence of progress. Instead of pulling the trigger, the NFF should fix the support system, strengthen the staff, and let him grow into the job.
