Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shifted attention away from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to focus on Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
The Franco-Malian coach shared his thoughts after attending the AFCON draw ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, where Nigeria was placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Chelle emphasized that his primary objective is to secure Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup, with AFCON preparations set to take center stage later in the year.
“There is no little team in the AFCON, you need to be focused. Right now, I’m focused on my players, on my team and on March,” Chelle said, per Pooja Media.
“We need to be focused on the World Cup Qualifiers. Then in October, we will think about the AFCON. But now, we need to win two games in March.”
The Super Eagles’ current position in the World Cup qualifiers has heightened the pressure on Chelle.
Nigeria sits fifth in Group C with just three points after four games, trailing South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Benin. To revive their World Cup hopes, the Super Eagles must deliver strong performances in their next two matches: an away fixture against Rwanda and a home clash with Zimbabwe.
Chelle, who was appointed as head coach on January 8, replaced Augustine Eguavoen and faces a tough road ahead. With six games remaining in the qualifiers, including matches against South Africa and Lesotho, Chelle must hit the ground running to keep Nigeria’s World Cup dreams alive.
While the 2025 AFCON looms on the horizon, Chelle has made it clear that his immediate priority lies in March’s qualifiers. Failure to secure victories could leave the Super Eagles with no option but to focus on the 2030 World Cup.
The 2025 AFCON, scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will take place in Morocco. While the Super Eagles are widely regarded as favorites to progress from Group C, Chelle’s comments suggest that Nigeria’s long-term goals rest heavily on their performance in the World Cup qualifiers.
With both AFCON and World Cup ambitions at stake, Chelle’s ability to guide the Super Eagles through these critical challenges will define his tenure as head coach and shape the future of Nigerian football.
