Nigeria boss Eric Chelle has acknowledged that he is aware of the calls for his dismissal ahead of their match against Bafana Bafana.
Nigeria endured a poor campaign at the 2025 CAF African Nations Championship, as they were eliminated in the group stage after recording just one win from three matches.
Chelle, who was in charge of the team, has come under intense criticism for the side’s failure at CHAN 2024.
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In some quarters, the calls for his sacking have grown louder, with Chelle also struggling to get the best out of his squad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Reports in the press have since emerged, suggesting that Chelle could be dismissed before the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Bafana Bafana in September.
These rumours have reached Chelle, prompting a defiant response from the coach.
"I have heard a lot of stories, about them wanting to sack me and replace me with someone else. I have heard about that," said Chelle, according to The Sun Nigeria.
"I know, quite well, that I can be fired after one match. This is the life in football. But if they decide to do that, they must be prepared to pay up the remainder of my contract.
"When I came to Nigeria, I didn’t come here because of money. I was earning more in my last job. I came to Nigeria because this is a very big team and I want to prove something, to achieve something.
"I came here for the challenge. Nothing has changed about that.
"I have not had very much contact with the NFF President and the General Secretary, since I took charge of the team. We met at the very beginning, of course, and a few times afterwards. But I have been alone, largely, as I go on with doing my job.”
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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