Former Nigeria striker Yakubu Ayegbeni has urged the Super Eagles to move on from their old coaching cycle and fully support current manager Eric Chelle as the AFCON approaches.

Speaking on the Bet9ja Home Turf Podcast, the former Everton forward stressed that Nigeria must embrace a new direction instead of returning to familiar names from the past, Footballrover reports.

Yakubu Ayegbeni backs Chelle, rejects calls for a coaching return

With discussions growing around possible changes, Yakubu made it clear that bringing in another coach now would be a step in the wrong direction.

“We’re talking about new coach now. I think we should allow him (Eric Chelle) to just take the team to the Nations Cup (AFCON). It’s too close to bring in another coach.

We’re talking about bringing Austin Eguavoen. I don’t think we need Samson Siasia and Eguavoen anymore. We’ve gone past that era to bring those guys.”

Ayegbeni argued that the Super Eagles must look toward the future rather than repeating the same choices. He pointed to Eguavoen’s multiple stints and criticised the idea of returning to him again.

“Eguavoen has been there like three or four times now. But I don’t think, when you check his record, he did well, not fantastic job. but I think we should forget about Eguavoen and try to sit down together and look for who we can bring.”

“We’re moving forward; we’re not moving backward” — Yakubu

Yakubu, who scored over 20 goals for Nigeria and built a strong Premier League career with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton, added emotional clarity to his argument.

Although he expressed respect for his former coaches, he insisted that sentiment should not drive decisions.

“We’re moving forward; we’re not moving backward. Bringing those people back, Siasia – I don’t have anything against him. Eguavoen was my coach, I swear, too, from Benin City, I swear.

It’s better we should look forward and bring in anyone who can be capable of looking after us and taking us far.”

For Yakubu, the Super Eagles need progress, not nostalgia.

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Last Updated on November 21, 2025 5:05 pm by footballrover