Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has made a strong statement in response to growing criticism surrounding Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Footynaija.com reports.
With Nigeria sitting fourth in Group C, the pressure is mounting, but Chelle is refusing to back down.
Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s friendly against Russia in Moscow, the Franco-Malian tactician made it clear that his focus is on building a stronger team that can rise to the challenge in the final four group matches.
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He didn’t hold back when talking about what’s required from his players.
“The most important thing for me is that we play together — both in defence and offence. We need to improve all the time, mentally and physically. We must become warriors on the pitch,” Chelle said in a report by Daily Trust.
The Super Eagles recently lifted the Unity Cup after back-to-back wins against Ghana and Jamaica in London.
Those performances brought some confidence back to the camp, but Chelle insists the real battle is far from over.
“During the Unity Cup, we scored goals, we created chances, and we showed some very good things in our game. But of course, we still need to work. We have weaknesses. We need to improve, to step up as a group and as a team, especially if we want to qualify for the World Cup.”
Nigeria’s qualification hopes have taken a hit after collecting just seven points from their first six matches. They trail group leaders South Africa by six points, with only four matches left.
Chelle has now mapped out the road to qualification, and he believes the team must treat every remaining match like a final.
In September, Nigeria will host Rwanda before travelling to South Africa. The final group games will come in October, with an away tie against Lesotho and a home clash with Benin Republic.
Chelle sees those matches as a chance for redemption.
“We have an important goal in September. So I saw this as an opportunity to give many players a chance to show what they can do. And I’m really happy and proud of them because, in just two or three training sessions, they worked really hard. That’s the reality.”
Chelle took charge of the Super Eagles in January 2025. His first two matches, a win and a draw in March, respectively against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, gave some early hope, but the reality of Nigeria’s position in Group C means there is no room for error.
