Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has embarked on a European tour to connect with pivotal players, including Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Moses Simon, as he gears up for his debut match in charge.
Chelle steps into his role at a crucial juncture for Nigerian football, particularly in light of the team’s recent disappointing performances in the qualifiers.
Currently, the Super Eagles find themselves in fifth place in their qualification group, having notched up any wins in their four matches to date.
His travels took him to France, where he caught up with Nantes winger Moses Simon, before making his way to England for discussions with Fulham’s Iwobi and Leicester City’s Ndidi.
The Malian coach aims to share his vision for the team, evaluate player fitness, and clarify his expectations ahead of the key qualifiers.
With Nigeria positioned fifth in Group C of the African qualifiers, the upcoming matches are crucial for their aspirations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In addition to Iwobi, Ndidi, and Simon, Chelle is also expected to engage with additional key Super Eagles players scattered across Europe.
This outreach comes at a pivotal moment, as Nigeria looks to regain their footing after a rocky start to the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in Uyo, followed by another 1-1 stalemate against Zimbabwe.
With only the group winners guaranteed a World Cup berth, Nigeria needs to secure maximum points in the upcoming matches to avoid missing out on the prestigious event for a second straight time.
After wrapping up his tour in Europe, Chelle will head back to Nigeria to finalize preparations with the home-based Super Eagles before announcing his squad for the qualifiers.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed confidence in his strategy, believing that his proactive engagement with the team will guide Nigeria back on track in their World Cup qualification efforts.
Next up, Nigeria will face Rwanda in Kigali, followed by a home clash against Zimbabwe in Uyo, where Chelle will be under intense pressure to deliver the results needed.
