Eric Chelle, the newly appointed Super Eagles Coach, has declared his ambition to guide Nigeria to the “pinnacle of world football,” beginning with securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Mali coach made this commitment during his unveiling on Monday at a ceremony held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Chelle, now the 37th head coach of the three-time African champions, has signed a two-year contract with an option for extension if he successfully leads the team to the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has emphasized the urgency of Chelle’s task, as the Super Eagles currently find themselves in a precarious position in the World Cup qualifying series.
After four rounds of matches, Nigeria is fifth in Group C with only three points, having drawn three games and lost one. To secure a spot in the tournament, the Eagles must win all six remaining group matches or rely on favourable results in other fixtures—a challenge Chelle addressed at his unveiling.
“If you want to be a great coach, you need to take some risks, you need to make some sacrifices,” Chelle said when asked about taking responsibility for the campaign’s outcome. “I want to be part of history. My first step is to engage with the players. I’ll be a big brother to them. It is my prayer that we will qualify for the World Cup.”
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I want to thank my agent, the NFF, the NSC, and all Nigerians for this incredible chance. Coaching the Super Eagles is an honour, and I don’t take it for granted. I’m elated and will do my utmost best.”
Chelle’s appointment has drawn positive reactions, particularly for his attacking and enterprising approach, which was evident during his tenure with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations. He assured Nigerians of his commitment to bringing this style to the national team.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style,” he noted. “I understand the expectations of Nigerians, and I will work diligently with my assistants to achieve the goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The 47-year-old also shared his long-held admiration for the Super Eagles, describing his childhood love for the team. “When I was young, the Super Eagles were my favourite team. I owned a jersey and watched all their games during the World Cup in France. It was my dream to be part of this team.”
In a social media post, Chelle reiterated his vision, stating, “From this moment, I am already hard at work. My goal is clear: to restore the Super Eagles to the pinnacle of world football, where they truly belong. This requires hard work, discipline, and a strategy that is both ambitious and realistic. I will rely on the exceptional talent of our players—home and abroad—and build a team that reflects Nigeria’s unity, strength, and excellence.”
Chelle previously guided Mali’s Aiglons to the brink of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and recently left his position at Algerian club MC Oran, the 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists, to join the Super Eagles.
