Three months after his appointment as Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle is set to take charge of his first competitive match. He will lead Nigeria against Rwanda in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday (today).
Chelle, appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in January, became the third person to helm the team since José Peseiro stepped down in March 2024. Before him, Finidi George and NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen had brief stints in charge.
The pressure on Chelle is immense as he looks to revive Nigeria’s struggling qualifying campaign. Under Peseiro and Finidi, the Super Eagles managed just three draws and one defeat in four matches, leaving them winless in the campaign. They currently sit in fifth place in Group C with just three points, trailing group leaders Benin Republic by five points.
Nigeria’s record in Rwanda presents another challenge. The Super Eagles have never won a competitive match in Kigali, with their last three encounters on Rwandan soil all ending in draws. The most recent was a goalless stalemate in September 2023 during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Determined to start his tenure on a positive note, Chelle emphasized the importance of victory in his pre-match press conference.
“They also have a new coach, they want to win, and we also want to win. We are ready,” Chelle stated. “I just want my players to focus on this game. We need to win. They are training hard, and they want Nigerians to be proud of them.”
The Super Eagles arrived in Kigali on Sunday, and Chelle has had three full training sessions with the squad. He remains confident in his strategy and players’ commitment.
“We have had several meetings and training sessions. I have communicated my plans and how we intend to achieve success,” Chelle said.“We must work hard. What we do with and without the ball will be key. We are focusing on our preparation, and we will be ready. I want to win this game because the country needs this.”
Team captain William Troost-Ekong, who missed the last two qualifiers, is back and ready to lead the team. Acknowledging past struggles, he remains optimistic. “We can’t change the past, but we have a chance to do better,” Ekong said.
“We respect Rwanda, but we are ready and have prepared well. We have one job here—to win.” A victory against Rwanda would provide a crucial boost to Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes, particularly with other results in the group affecting the standings.
After the Rwanda clash, the Super Eagles will return home for their next qualifier against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.
