Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has replied to questions about his future after he failed to lead Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 48-year-old was appointed by the Nigerian Football Federation in January 2025, with the sole purpose of leading the three-time AFCON winners to the World Cup after a dreadful start that saw them without a win in their opening four games.
Chelle’s appointment came as a surprise to many Nigerians, especially with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) previously in talks with more high-profile European names like former Sweden boss Janne Andersson and ex-Bayer Leverkusen manager Bruno Labbadia.
Chelle's record with the Super Eagles
The Franco-Malian tactician kick-started things with a win against Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria's first win in the qualifiers campaign, becoming the first manager to seal three points after Jose Peseiro and Finidi George failed to achieve that feat.
However, the process hit a snag in Chelle's next game as an error from William Troost-Ekong saw Nigeria surrender two points against Zimbabwe.
The 2025 Unity Cup allowed the Super Eagles coach to trial several new faces like Christantus Uche and Benjamin Frederick, who has now become a mainstay in the Nigerian backline. After the tournament, another 1-1 draw in a friendly against Russia followed.
A dreadful campaign with the Super Eagles B at the CHAN 2024 tournament followed, but Chelle put Nigeria back on track in their World Cup qualification journey.
Victor Osimhen played an important part as he and his teammates secured three wins from their final four World Cup qualifying games to qualify as one of the best second-placed teams, securing a play-off spot, alongside three other African nations.
Nigeria knocked out of World Cup play-offs
The play-offs represented hope for the Nigerian populace, especially after they missed out on the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Chelle's men defeated a fiery Gabon, who won eight of their ten qualifiers. However, the game went into extra time before the Super Eagles secured a 4-1 win.
The Super Eagles then needed to defeat DR Congo in the final African play-off if they were to qualify for the Inter-continental play-offs.
Frank Onyeka broke the deadlock inside three minutes against Congo before Meschack Elia equalised. The second half saw Congo pressure Nigeria, but the Super Eagles held off till the penalty shoot-out, where they scored just two, and Congo went through.
As a result, Chelle's main goal wasn't achieved, although he never lost any of the eleven games he was in charge of in regulation time.
After failing to hit his marker, the former RC Lens defender was quizzed on whether he would be booted out by the Nigerian Federation, and he said:
“I think you'd have to talk to the NFF and the commissioner because, actually, I did well,” the 48-year-old told Shina Oludare.
“I worked and I will work. I tried to be at my best.
“We gave our best. The players, the coaching officials and everyone. So, if anything happens, it won't be the first,” Chelle concluded.
I asked Eric Chelle about his future with the Super Eagles after falling short in the World Cup campaign he was hired to deliver. 👇 pic.twitter.com/hYP9TLIxyt
— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) November 16, 2025
Nigeria have now missed out on two consecutive World Cup tournaments but have a chance to atone for their mistakes during the AFCON 2025 competition in Morocco next month.
