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Newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has revealed that he will not turn his attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) until October 2025, Soccernet.football reports.
Instead, his primary focus is on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Nigeria has faced a challenging start.
The 2025 AFCON draw, held in Rabat, Morocco, saw Nigeria placed in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia. The Super Eagles, three-time winners of the continental tournament, are hoping to make a strong showing under Chelle, who previously led Mali to a quarterfinal exit in the last AFCON.
Despite Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON, finishing top of Group D with 11 points from a possible 18, Chelle has made it clear that his priority remains the World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles are currently winless in four matches out of ten, and Chelle is determined to get the team back on track before shifting his focus to the continental showpiece.
“There is no little team in AFCON, you need to be focused,” Chelle said during an interview with the Super Eagles media. “I said a few minutes later, I’m focused on my players, the team and March. We need to be focused on the World Cup qualifiers and after that, in October, we really can think about the AFCON. Now, we need to win two games in March.”
Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle says his focus is on the World Cup qualifiers in March after the AFCON Draw 2025. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/Xlp8UmNltp
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 27, 2025
Chelle’s comments come after the Super Eagles were drawn with Tunisia, the same team that knocked them out of the 2021 edition of the tournament in the Round of 16.
However, the French-Malian coach reiterated that the World Cup qualifiers are his primary concern at the moment.
“No, I’m focused on the World Cup qualifiers,” Chelle asserted. “This is a draw, there are four teams in each group, and anyone in the AFCON can win the tournament. Now, I need to watch my players, work with them and stay focused on the two games in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, and after that, we will see in October for the AFCON. For now, let’s focus on March please.”
The Super Eagles will resume their World Cup qualification campaign in March with an away match against group leaders Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium. Following that, they will face Zimbabwe. Chelle is determined to secure all six points from these fixtures to give the team a chance of qualification.
While the AFCON draw looms large, Chelle’s focus remains firmly on the World Cup qualifiers, with the Super Eagles aiming to get their campaign back on track before turning their attention to the continental tournament.
