Interview conducted by Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
As Nigeria’s Super Eagles gear up for their crucial FIFA World Cup African playoff semi-final against Gabon in Morocco, former international midfielder Dehinde Akinlotan has called on head coach Eric Chelle to adopt an aggressive, high-pressing strategy from the outset.
In an exclusive interview with JerseyNumber12.com, Akinlotan emphasized the importance of maintaining intensity throughout the match to secure victory.
“I have never missed any of the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifiers. Our boys have always found it very difficult to sustain the tempo of all their previous matches. They started very well in some of the games but fizzled out when it mattered most,” he noted.
Akinlotan, who played for Nigeria in the 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup and participated in the 1988 Olympic qualifiers, currently serves as a Player Development Coach at RISE Soccer Club in Houston, Texas .
He advised Coach Chelle to foster a strong rapport with the players to enhance unity and on-field performance.
“Eric Chelle needs the players more than they need him, and a good relationship with them will go a long way to promote unity and help the players to express themselves on the field,” Akinlotan stated.
Looking ahead, Akinlotan expressed confidence in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
“We really need to do something tangible at the grassroots level if we want to bring back the lost glory in Nigerian football,” he added, urging the Nigeria Football Federation to address foundational issues in the sport.
The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon in the semi-final, with the winner advancing to the playoff final.