The former Super Eagles coach rejected the pitch and the weather as reasons, then questioned why the NFF kept Chelle after the World Cup miss.
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Former Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrère has described the 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau as unbelievable and called Eric Chelle’s explanations for it “a stupid excuse.” The 80-year-old Dutchman gave his verdict from his home in the Netherlands on Wednesday, a day after the Group L qualifier in Bissau.
Bonfrère led Nigeria’s U-23 side to men’s football gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also assisted Clemens Westerhof when Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and made their World Cup debut, and he was in charge at the 2000 tournament, where the Super Eagles took silver.
What Bonfrère Said
Bonfrère called the result a shame for Nigerian football and said it shows how far the game in the country has fallen. He added that Nigeria is sinking economically as well as on the pitch. New bettors following the qualifiers can check the latest Bet9ja promo code before the next window.
Chelle had pointed to the poor pitch and the heat in Bissau, though he said neither was an excuse. Bonfrère wasn’t buying it. He recalled a 0-0 draw in Asmara against Eritrea on April 9, 2000, and said Nigeria still got a result despite the bad pitch and weather.
In his view, a coach has to adapt when the surface or the weather is against him, and the Super Eagles had trained on the pitch before the game. Changing tactics, he said, is part of the job.
Questions Over Chelle’s Job
Bonfrère also questioned why the NFF kept Chelle after Nigeria missed the 2026 World Cup. Chelle took over in January 2025, after the qualifiers had begun under Jose Peseiro, but Bonfrère argued Nigeria still had a route through the play offs. They lost the CAF play-off final to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Rabat.
Not everyone shares that view. Nigeria won bronze at the AFCON in Morocco under Chelle, beating Egypt in the third place game after losing the semi final to Morocco on penalties. Readers who want to bet on the November games can learn how to get the Bet9ja promotion code first.
Tuesday was Chelle’s first competitive defeat inside 90 minutes in charge, according to Legit.ng. ESPN’s analysis pointed to a different problem, noting that all three goals came from counterattacks, with Nigeria’s midfield and defence caught high up the pitch.
Chelle hasn’t hidden from the result. Legit.ng reported that he apologised to fans and said the team accepts responsibility, even as he pointed to the pitch. Former striker Victor Ikpeba, for his part, defended goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and put the blame on the defenders.
What Comes Next
Nigeria play Russia in a friendly on October 6, then face Tanzania in a November double-header. Guinea-Bissau lead Group L by three points, and with head-to-head the first tie breaker, the return game in Uyo could decide who goes through. Bettors tracking the group can look at Bet9ja’s YOHAIG welcome bonus before the next window.
Does a coach with one competitive defeat deserve more time, or are the warning signs already there?
📌 Did You Know?
- Nigeria won the return leg against Eritrea 4-0 in Lagos on April 22, 2000, with goals from Benedict Akwuegbu, Garba Lawal, Jonathan Akpoborie and Nwankwo Kanu.
- That Eritrea tie was part of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, which Nigeria reached by winning their final round group.
- The Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau holds about 20,000 people.
- Nigeria, ranked 26th in the world, lost to Guinea-Bissau, who are ranked 132nd.
- Nigeria’s run to the World Cup play-off final included a 4-1 win away at Gabon on November 13, 2025.
- The NFF petitioned FIFA on December 15, 2025 over the eligibility of some DR Congo players, and FIFA deferred a decision on the complaint.
