UPDATE: We are Not After Super Eagles Coach – NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has clarified that it is not planning to protest the appointment of Eric Chelle, a Malian, as the new coach of the Super Eagles.

This statement comes after reports emerged that NANS was threatening to embark on a nationwide protest over Chelle’s appointment.

According to the Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, the reports were baseless and fraudulent.

“The attention of the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been drawn to a frivolous and mischievous report credited to one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who claims to be the Clerk of the NANS Senate, wherein he purportedly threatened a nationwide protest over the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

“It is imperative to categorically state that this position is baseless, fraudulent, and does not represent the stance of the leadership of NANS nor does it reflect the sentiments of Nigerian students nationwide.

For the record, the said person holds no position in the organization as claimed, and so, the NFF should disregard the threat of protest.

“Thus, we unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the disingenuous utterances of these self-appointed individuals, attempting to exploit the respected name of NANS for selfish reasons, We call on security agencies to immediately invite and investigate these impostors for impersonation and an attempt to incite public unrest. Their recklessness constitutes a direct affront to the credibility and integrity of NANS as an institution.

“To the media, we express our disappointment in the unprofessionalism exhibited by platforms that lent their voices to these fallacious claims without verifying the authenticity of their sources. It is the duty of reputable media outlets to uphold journalistic standards and desist from amplifying unsubstantiated narratives. The press must demonstrate more responsibility by verifying the identities and affiliations of individuals before granting them access to platforms capable of influencing public perception.

On the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle, NANS acknowledges and respects the prerogative of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make technical decisions that they believe will advance the fortunes of Nigerian football. We implore the NFF to remain resolute in its professional decisions and ignore the empty threats of protest by nonentities masquerading as NANS representatives.

“However, we strongly urge the NFF to extend their scouting activities to Nigerian campuses, where a plethora of untapped football talents reside. By creating a pipeline that identifies, develops, and promotes homegrown players, the Federation will be making a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian football.

“Ultimately, let it be known that no organ of NANS, at any level, has endorsed or proposed any protest against the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Super Eagles coach. Any claims to the contrary are the concoctions of desperate impostors whose agenda remains suspect and antithetical to the progress of Nigerian students.”