Eric Chelle, recently appointed as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has outlined his strategy to secure the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Emphasizing an attacking style of play, Chelle stated, “Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style.”
Chelle, a former Mali international with coaching experience at clubs like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, was officially unveiled in Abuja on January 13, 2025. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the high expectations of Nigerian fans. He committed to working diligently with his assistants to achieve the goal of World Cup qualification.
The Super Eagles currently face a challenging position in their World Cup qualifying group, sitting second from the bottom with three points from four matches. They trail group leaders Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who each have seven points. Chelle’s immediate focus is on revitalizing the team’s performance in the upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau expressed confidence in Chelle’s appointment, highlighting his positive attitude and commitment. Gusau assured that the federation would provide the necessary support to help Chelle succeed in his mandate to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup.
Chelle’s tenure comes with a two-year contract, with an option for an additional year if he successfully qualifies Nigeria for the World Cup. His approach focuses on enhancing the team’s attacking capabilities, aiming to leverage Nigeria’s rich pool of offensive talent to secure the needed results in the remaining qualification matches.
