AJ Auxerre’s Lassine Sinayoko Reflects on His Former Coach’s Qualities and Challenges

When Nigeria announced Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Lassine Sinayoko couldn’t hide his delight. The AJ Auxerre forward, a key figure in Mali’s run at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), attributes much of his international resurgence to Chelle.

Sinayoko, 25, first broke into the Mali national team in 2021 under Mohamed Magassouba but fell out of contention for two years. It wasn’t until Chelle took over that the winger was brought back into the fold. For Sinayoko, Chelle’s faith in him went beyond tactical decisions—it showed character and courage.

“I am very happy for him because, before being a good coach, he is a good person,” Sinayoko told RFI. “He had the courage to put me in the starting line-up during AFCON, even ahead of players from Champions League clubs. What is happening to him now is well-deserved.”

Under Chelle’s leadership, Mali advanced to the AFCON quarterfinals but fell to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic encounter. Critics blamed Chelle’s substitutions for the loss, but Sinayoko disagrees.

“I heard a lot of people say the elimination was because of his substitutions,” Sinayoko noted. “But in the previous match against Burkina Faso, he made the same changes, and everything went well. Nobody complained then. There always has to be a scapegoat.”

Despite the criticism, Chelle now takes on a bigger challenge with Nigeria, who reached the final of the last AFCON, narrowly losing to Côte d’Ivoire. With the Super Eagles already qualified for the next tournament, Chelle’s focus shifts to securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

For Sinayoko, seeing Chelle succeed on the big stage is a personal joy. “He revived my career and believed in me when others didn’t. I know he’ll bring the same qualities to Nigeria,” he added.