2026 World Cup Qualifiers: The Mountain Before New Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle
Millions of Nigerian football fans had a mixed reaction to Eric Chelle’s appointment as the Super Eagles coach, which ranged from cautious optimism to outright indifference.
Chelle is now faced with the difficult task of reinvigorating Nigeria’s dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup, a difficult task after the heartache of missing the 2022 World Cup.
The Super Eagles are now facing a steep climb, which was once feared throughout the continent. Chelle’s stakes are unmatched. But will he fail to handle the pressure of leading Nigeria in the US, Mexico, and Canada’s quadrennial competition or will he fall short?
Thorny Road To World Cup in Nigeria
The Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifying process has never been simple, but it has become even more challenging. Fans are unsure whether Nigeria’s golden era of football has passed because the Super Eagles haven’t been consistent over the past three years and have once taken pride in African football.
Nigeria was seeded with South Africa, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and the Benin Republic in order to be considered for qualification. The 2013 African champions only managed three points in their first four games, putting them four points behind Group C leaders Rwanda, who they face on Friday in Kigali.
Many people were unprepared by Chelle’s choice to lead the Super Eagles. After a disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the 47-year-old, who was born in Cote d’Ivoire, was fired by Mali. He won the title of first non-Nigerian African to lead the Super Eagles, despite having stints with some African clubs on his resume.
The former MC Oran manager’s coaching background may be unknown to many Nigerian fans, but a viral video of him being doused with water after Mali’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to nine-man Cote d’Ivoire in the 2023 AFCON quarter-finals made him more well-known.
Chelle will lead the Malian team for the first time against Rwanda despite only having been in the position for less than two months. He enters a fast-paced, uncertain environment with high expectations and little patience. Although the Super Eagles have a rich history, inconsistent play has recently been a problem. Nigerians’ bitter pill to swallow after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup was their decision. A loss of the next edition would have dealt an even greater blow to the nation’s footballing pride.
[2026 W/Cup Qualifiers] Nigeria Strives for Resurrection Against Rwanda and ZimbabweA Style Change
However, Chelle will be able to help Nigeria win the World Cup in 2026 by leveraging his experience in African football. The 47-year-old manager brings valuable continental experience, having previously coached the Algerian national team’s MC Oran. Chelle managed to win 13 games while playing for Mali, drawing five, and falling only once.
The former defender has a challenging job ahead of him, who is renowned for his attacking style of football, which he displayed with the Eagles of Mali in the 2023 AFCON. After that competition, Jose Peseiro, who left Nigeria, was frequently accused of sacrificing the Super Eagles’ attacking football in favor of defensive strength.
However, that strategy is anticipated to change when Nigeria take the field on Friday.
“I enjoy scoring goals. The Super Eagles will never be the exception, as Chelle stated during his unveiling in January. “We will score goals, and my teams never have a bad team.
Positive Energy image twitter.com/EO5k9FEFjf
With a starting lineup that includes Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, the latter of whom was the immediate past’s and current African Player of the Year, Chelle is well-equipped to develop a formidable offensive force. He has selected a 23-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
Star Wars
Beyond his tactical prowess, Chelle’s management of Nigeria’s star-studded roaster will be crucial to achieving the dream of winning the World Cup. With an estimated $ 371.1 million in sales as of March 2025, Nigeria ranks second in Africa and 16th overall. The Super Eagles are a team with a lot of potential, but they also have to deal with some difficult management responsibilities. Following the conflict between Osimhen and George Finidi, the team’s immediate former substantive coach, the need for effective management is especially acute.
The team has been led by Jose Peseiro and Finidi, both of whom have managed two games since the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign. In order for Chelle to unite a disjointed squad and provide much-needed stability, she must also serve as a tactical guide for the Super Eagles.
With only days to train and integrate new faces, Chelle must meld the fresh talent he has brought in with the established Super Eagles stars.
Source: Channels TV
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