Eric Chelle Targets World Cup Qualification Amid Nigeria's Shaky Start

Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualification hopes are under threat after a disappointing start to their campaign, but new coach Eric Chelle remains optimistic about their chances.

Nigeria head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has reiterated that securing a World Cup ticket remains his top priority, despite the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw taking place on Monday. The draw ceremony for Morocco 2025 was held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, where the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the group stage matchups.

The Super Eagles have been drawn into Group C for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Nigeria will be seeking their fourth AFCON title when the tournament commences in December. When questioned about his team's prospects following the draw, Chelle emphasized the importance of staying focused, given the competitive nature of the tournament.

“There are no small teams in AFCON; you need to stay focused,” Chelle told reporters. He then shifted his attention to the more immediate challenge, stating, “As I've said before, my priority right now is my players and the upcoming matches in March. We need to concentrate on the World Cup qualifiers first, and after that, we can start thinking about AFCON.”

Eric Chelle's primary objective is clear, and he is determined to ensure his team is fully prepared for the crucial World Cup qualifiers in March. “For now, our goal is to win those two games,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of securing a World Cup ticket.

Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, are dwindling after a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign. With four matches played, the Super Eagles sit in fifth place with just three points, trailing leaders Rwanda by four points. With six games remaining in the qualifying series, Nigeria's upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March are crucial, and victories in these matches could potentially reignite their qualification hopes.

Nigeria is eager to return to the global stage after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they suffered a playoff defeat to rivals Ghana. The team aims to improve on their previous World Cup performances, which saw them reach the round of 16 in 1994, 1998, and 2014. Newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle is determined to restore the Super Eagles as a dominant force in football.

Chelle, a former player for French clubs Valenciennes and Lens, was appointed as Nigeria's permanent head coach by the Nigeria Football Federation, replacing interim coach Augustine Eguavoen. Despite facing criticism, Chelle brings an impressive coaching record to the role, particularly from his time with the Mali national team. His tactical acumen and ability to develop teams and manage high-pressure situations were on display during the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

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

In an interview with CAF photo journalist Pooja, Chelle expressed his confidence in the Nigeria national team's abundance of talent and emphasized the importance of the upcoming fixtures in March. He acknowledged that the matches are a must-win, and his team is focused on securing victories to reignite their World Cup qualification hopes.

The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco, with the opening match featuring the host nation, Morocco, against Comoros on December 21st. Nigeria's Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23rd, followed by matches against Tunisia on December 27th and Uganda on December 30th.