Chelle promises attacking football to get Nigeria to 2026 World Cup
New Nigeria coach Eric Chelle promised on Monday that his team will score goals to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, after the Super Eagles failed to reach the last edition of the tournament and started slowly in qualification this time around.
The 47-year-old has signed a two-year contract that is based on qualifying the country to the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.
Chelle promised at his official unveiling in Abuja that his team will play attacking football to reach next year's World Cup.
"I have always had a love for scoring goals. My teams are never short of goals, and I promise the Super Eagles will be no different," Chelle said.
"Football is about scoring goals and I favour an attacking style.
"I know the expectations of Nigerians and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup."
The 🦅@NGSuperEagles have a new coach.
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) January 13, 2025
Eric Sekou Chelle is the new coach of the #SuperEagles.
A new dawn is here. pic.twitter.com/RwYGpm74ji
Nigeria are second from bottom of their World Cup qualifying group after accumulating just three points from their first four matches.
Rwanda lead the group on goal difference, with South Africa and Benin also on seven points.
The group winners are guaranteed automatic qualification to the World Cup.
In March, Nigeria will fly out to Rwanda before a home game against bottom-team Zimbabwe.
"Coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria is an amazing job," said former Lens captain Chelle.
"I do not take this appointment for granted.
"I am elated and will do my utmost best."
Chelle was previously coach of Mali, who he guided to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as Algerian club MC Oran.
Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle:
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 13, 2025
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style. I know the expectations of Nigerians, and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles to the 2026 Fifa World Cup"
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