Super Eagles assistant coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu are expected to arrive in Turkey on Monday, March 23, 2026, ahead of the team’s upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.
The matches are part of preparations for future competitive fixtures, with both coaches retaining their roles in the national team setup despite ongoing internal evaluations.
However, their positions have recently come under increased scrutiny from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee. Concerns have been raised about the depth of experience within the current backroom staff, particularly their ability to step into the head coach role if necessary.
A senior federation official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the committee is considering the inclusion of more experienced Nigerian coaches to strengthen the technical crew alongside head coach Eric Chelle’s existing assistants.
“Neither of the current assistant coaches is viewed as ready to take charge of the Super Eagles at short notice,” the official said. “This has prompted discussions about recruiting more experienced local coaches to provide stronger technical support.”
The NFF technical committee is expected to meet with Chelle in the coming weeks to deliberate on possible adjustments to the coaching structure.
Ogunmodede, who recently earned a UEFA B coaching licence in Scotland, achieved a major milestone with Remo Stars, guiding the club to its first Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in the 2024/2025 season. However, the club has struggled in the current campaign, leading to the appointment of former Super Eagles assistant coach Usman Abdallah as head coach.
Meanwhile, Ilechukwu continues to impress on the domestic scene, with Enugu Rangers emerging as strong contenders for the league title this season.
