By Femi Atolagbe 

Executive Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Otunba Dele Ajayi, has called for greater support and patience for Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, as he works on rebuilding the national team.

Speaking during a radio interview in Akure, monitored by Sporting Hope, Ajayi emphasised that Coach Chelle is focused on building a new squad that can restore Nigeria’s footballing glory.

“We can all see that the players who featured in the London Unity Cup were different from those who played against Russia,” Ajayi said. “There were new faces and home-based players included. It’s a clear sign the coach is trying to reshape the team.”

Ajayi urged Nigerians to rally behind the coach, stressing that the rebuilding process requires collective support from stakeholders and fans alike.

Ajayi also addressed the recent relegation of Sunshine Stars, describing it as a “bitter pill to swallow.” He attributed the club’s challenges to deep-rooted structural issues and internal conflicts.

“The same problems affecting Nigerian football—administrative lapses, internal crises—are also present at Sunshine Stars,” he noted. “Some individuals want the club to fail simply because they are no longer part of the team. That mindset must change.”

He emphasised that no single person or group should hold the team hostage, adding that all stakeholders must work together to restore the club’s status.

“Structure is a major problem at Sunshine Stars. Without addressing it, the situation may persist. The relegation might be a blessing in disguise, giving us a chance to reassess and rebuild,” he said.

Ajayi further called for a sincere, inclusive dialogue among key stakeholders in Ondo State football to identify the root causes of failure and plan a way forward.

“I’m not blaming individuals, but we must blame the system—the management represents us. So, we are all responsible in some way.”

He concluded by advocating for the restructuring of the law establishing the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), noting that a solid legal and operational framework is critical to long-term success.