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Tag: Chelle

  • Chelle names 24-man Super Eagles squad for 2026 World Cup playoffs

    Chelle names 24-man Super Eagles squad for 2026 World Cup playoffs

    Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff campaign.

    The list includes team captain William Troost-Ekong, star striker Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey.

    Veteran midfielder Alex Iwobi, alongside Benjamin Fredericks, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman, were also named in the squad.

    Chelle handed recalls to goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke, while Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olakunle Olusegun also made the cut.

    The players are expected to arrive in Morocco from their various clubs in Europe and beyond, converging in Rabat on Monday, November 10.

    Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat next Thursday.

    Full Squad:

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)

    Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

    Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

    Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

  • Chelle targets AFCON glory with Super Eagles  in Morocco

    Chelle targets AFCON glory with Super Eagles  in Morocco

    • Franco-Malian leads crew out Sunday for Play-Offs

    Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has declared that leading Nigeria to a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title is his top priority, describing his role as both an honour and a personal mission.

    Chelle, who took charge in January 2025, has reignited the team’s form with four wins and two draws in six matches — collecting 14 of a possible 18 points in World Cup qualifiers.

    In an interview with CAFOnline.com, Chelle expressed deep pride in managing the three-time African champions.

     “It’s something huge — Nigeria is a massive team with incredible aura and heritage. Coaching this side is a source of immense pride,” he said.

    Read Also: Nottingham Forest hold Sturm Graz to goalless draw in Europa League

    Born to a French father and Malian mother, Chelle emphasized that his role transcends football:

     “For me, this is about unity, respect, and values beyond sport. I may be French-Malian by birth, but now, I am fully Nigerian in spirit and commitment.”

    Nigeria will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C of AFCON 2025, and Chelle insists there are “no small teams.”

     “We’re going to Morocco to win. That’s the objective,” he stated confidently. “If we arrive in form after the playoffs, stopping us will be very difficult.”

    Meanwhile,  Chelle will reportedly  lead part of the Super Eagles backroom staff to Morocco for the 2026 World Cup Playoffs.

    The Super Eagles crew will fly out from Abuja Sunday morning.

    The training camp in Rabat will open Sunday ahead of semifinal Playoff against Gabon on November 13, which has a kick-off time of 5pm.

    The winners of this clash will battle with the winners of the other semifinal between DR Congo and Cameroon for the sole representation at the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico in March 2026.

  • Lesotho vs Nigeria: Chelle, Ekong tip  Eagles to crush Crocodiles

    Lesotho vs Nigeria: Chelle, Ekong tip  Eagles to crush Crocodiles

    Coach Eric Sekou Chelle, and team captain William Troost-Ekong have both emphasized focus, discipline and intensity as Nigeria face-off  today with  Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture in Polokwane, South Africa .

    Speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday, Chelle underlined the importance of approaching the encounter with total concentration, noting that unpredictable factors could shape the outcome of the game.

     “Things can happen during the game because of the weather, referees, injuries and so on. So we need to stay focused about what we want from this game,” Chelle stated.  “We must strive to get the three points and then think about the next game. Lesotho is a good team with a good coach. We must start the game very well and play it with high intensity and aggressiveness.”

    Read Also: Super Eagles stars vow to pick  World Cup ticket

    Nigeria, who are looking to reignite their qualification hopes after a slow start to the campaign, face a confident Lesotho side that has proven difficult to beat at home. The Crocodiles held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in Uyo earlier in the series and have shown steady improvement under their current manager.

    Captain Troost-Ekong echoed his coach’s sentiments, stressing the team’s determination to approach the match with the same commitment and tactical discipline that earned them a strong display against South Africa in their last outing.

     “We are approaching the game the same way we did against South Africa. It is important for us to play to win and secure the three points,” the former PAOK Salonika defender said. “We have to show Lesotho some respect knowing that they have done well in the group. They even picked a point against us.

    “It is going to be an important game for both teams. We are just focused on our preparations now and looking forward to the game tomorrow (today).”

    With the stakes high and only a few matches left in the qualifying series, Nigeria know that nothing short of victory will suffice if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

    The Super Eagles are expected to field a strong lineup when they take on Lesotho today at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, with fans hoping for a convincing performance to restore confidence in the team’s qualification campaign.

  • Chelle names Ekong, Iwobi, Osimhen, others for crucial  World Cup qualifiers 

    Chelle names Ekong, Iwobi, Osimhen, others for crucial  World Cup qualifiers 

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle has drafted team captain William Ekong, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses in his list of 23 players for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

    Defender Semi Ajayi, who missed the last two matches in the September window due to injury, returns to the group, as do France-based Terem Moffi and former junior international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays his club football in Russia.

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    Nigeria, now in third place and only three points off first-placed Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, tackle the Likuena (Crocodiles) of Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday, 10th October in a Matchday 9 encounter, before flying from South Africa to Uyo to battle leaders Benin Republic in a fiery final Matchday game on Tuesday, 14th October.

    The players are scheduled to fly into South Africa from their different bases in Europe and elsewhere, to converge in Polokwane on Monday, 6th October.

    The list has goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, and Adeleye Adebayo. Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, and Benjamin Fredericks.

    The others are midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards: Ademola

  • NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    The contract of Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be reviewed next month after the last 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, officials have told SCORENigeria

    In January, the NFF handed Eric Chelle a year’s deal with an option for two more years with the mandate to qualify Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup.

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    The Super Eagles are battling to qualify for next year’s Mundial to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

    They are third in Group C with 11 points from eight matches, six points adrift of leaders South Africa with two rounds of matches to the end of the qualifying series.

    This review will come barely two months to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

    It is expected that the decision of whether to keep or sack Eric Chelle will be expected by both the NFF and the NSC.

  • Chelle picks Nduka, Obaje, Alimi, 20 others  for CHAN 2024

    Chelle picks Nduka, Obaje, Alimi, 20 others  for CHAN 2024

    • Home-based Eagles off  to Zanzibar tonight

    Head Coach Eric Chelle has selected team captain Junior Harrison Nduka, defender Sikiru Alimi and forward Godwin Obaje among a list of 23 players that make up the final squad of Super Eagles B for the 8th African Nations Championship taking place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, 2nd – 30th August.

    Also listed are goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Mayo, midfielders Hadi Haruna and Alex Oyowah, and forwards Anas Yusuf, Sikiru Alimi and Ijoma Anthony.

    The contingent is set to travel out of the country to Zanzibar this  evening, aboard an Ethiopian Airline aircraft. The team has been training for several weeks at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

    Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged a second-phase training camp for the team in Zanzibar, from 25th  – 31st  July, before the 2018 silver medallists will move into official accommodation on the island.

    The NFF has also firmed up arrangements for two friendly matches between the Super Eagles B and the Senior National Team of Zanzibar, first on Monday, 28th  July and then on Thursday, 31st July.

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    Nigeria, also bronze medallists in 2014, are housed in group D of the 19-team tournament, alongside Cup holders Senegal, Sudan and Congo. The Super Eagles will play their first two matches of the competition, against Senegal and Sudan, at the Amman Stadium on the island of Zanzibar, before taking on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

    SUPER EAGLES B FOR 8TH AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

    Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars)

    Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United)

    Midfielders: Adedayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Hadi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars); Alex Oyowah (Remo Stars)

    Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International); Jabbar Malik (Remo Stars)

  • Chelle to watch President Federation Cup final

    Chelle to watch President Federation Cup final

    Players of Kwara United and Abakaliki FC will have the added motivation of playing in front of Super Eagles coach, Eric Sekou Chelle during the final of the 2025 President Federation Cup which comes up next weekend at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

    The Nigeria Premier Football League side Kwara United and second tier club Abakaliki FC will collide in the final of the most glamorous cup competition in the country and the two teams will have Chelle in the stands trying to spot quality players that can enhance the Super Eagles and the home based Eagles.

    Read Also: ‘World best’ Osimhen should stay in Europe, says  Akwuegbu

    The Franco Malian selected 10 domestic players for the Unity Cup invitational tournament in London last month.

    Chelle’s next assignment is the delayed African Nations Championship CHAN 2024 coming up in August.

    Nigeria is grouped in Pool C alongside Congo Brazzaville, Senegal and Sudan for the upcoming tournament.

    CHAN is meant for African players plying their trade in their domestic leagues.

    This year’s tournament will take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 2-30 August 2025.

  • Unity Cup final: ‘I’m focused on how my team plays – Chelle

    Unity Cup final: ‘I’m focused on how my team plays – Chelle

    Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has emphasized that his focus is solely on his team’s performance ahead of their Unity Cup final clash against Jamaica on Saturday.

    The Super Eagles booked their spot in the final with a 2-1 victory over Ghana’s Black Stars in the second semi-final, while Jamaica edged Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the first semi despite nearly throwing away a two-goal lead.

    Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chelle was asked about the threat posed by the Jamaican team but made it clear his attention remains on Nigeria’s progress.

    Read Also: London Unity Cup: Chelle, Addo  talk tough ahead of West African showdown

    “I need to focus on my team, I don’t want to talk about Jamaica because I’m not the coach of Jamaica,” Chelle said.

    “What is important for me is how my team play, how they improve every game, in training session which is important for me.”

  • London Unity Cup: Chelle defends inclusion of NPFL  stars

    London Unity Cup: Chelle defends inclusion of NPFL  stars

    • From Wole Omoogun, London

    Coach Eric Chelle believes the Super  Eagles  would be  up and running  for glory  despite missing few key players  for this week’s  London Unity Cup  even as he  outlined his vision for the national team ahead of  these for upcoming fixtures.

    The four-nation  Unity Cup Tournament, involving Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago,  begins today  at the 17,250-capacity Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London  with the first semi-final  between  Trinidad & Tobago  and  Jamaica in their  first-ever ‘Trini-Jam’ on UK soil.

    Tomorrow, three-time African champions Nigeria will take on four-time African champions Ghana in the second semi-final   and ahead of  the encounter, Chelle praised the competitiveness of the tournament landscape and acknowledged the strength of rival teams.

    “ The Unity Cup is a great moment to try some players, to try some other systems to be ready  for September (World Cup qualifiers),”  Chelle said at his press conference. “I was in Nigeria and I watched a few games  from the national league and I spent my time to analyze the players, this is my job.

    “ I think they have some quality and they deserve to have a chance. I’m sure they can bring a lot of  intensity, lots of aggressivity, lots of envy to play for this jersey

    “I picked the  10 players of national league and I tell you they are good players,” he said.

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    Chelle, who took charge with a mandate to revamp the Super Eagles’ playing style and performance, emphasized his intent to bring innovation.

    “ I can tell you something , we are focused, we have a game project, we want to build a group, we want to create an identity, so we need to put in some players who can run this  game project  quickly,” he noted.

    With June international matches on the horizon, the coach highlighted the difficulty of securing players from top European clubs  as he seemingly  defended  Super  Eagles’  noticeable  absentees  including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman  and Alex Iwobi amongst others.

    “June is difficult to get in the Premier League or European players to play,” he noted, adding that squad selection would prioritize dedication. “I don’t want to take risks. I want 100% commitment.”

    Chelle’s focus on commitment and team cohesion signals a new era for the Super Eagles, as they aim to build momentum toward future qualifiers and tournaments.

  • Musa must  be very good to play for  Super Eagles, says Chelle

    Musa must  be very good to play for  Super Eagles, says Chelle

    • By Tosin Osinowo

    Veteran  striker Ahmed Musa  would have  to prove his suitability  yet again to have any chance  in the  ‘new look’ Super  Eagles being put in  place by Coach Eric Sekou Chelle.

    The Franco-Malian tactician said as much  in London  ahead of this week’s  Four-Nation   London Unity Cup  involving Nigeria, Ghana Trinidad & Tobago  and Jamaica. The Super  Eagles will open  their account tomorrow  against the Black Stars at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford.

    Musa  was last in the  Super  Eagles’ mix during  the delayed  2023  Africa Cup of Nations  (AFCON)  in February  2024 and was a major omission in Chelle’s  first two  matches against  Rwanda  and Zimbabwe  in March.

    “I think Ahmed is a good player, I think everyone knows that and for me, this is  the reality, this is the fact the 47-year-old Chelle told NFF TV. “ Secondly, he can bring his experience because he has played a lot of big games, so he can bring something to the group.”

    Read Also: Gateway Games 2024: Athletes’ display of sportsmanship excites Abiodun

    That notwithstanding, Chelle  said  he was clear  about his  vision, adding the Kano Pillars’  Captain  would have to justify his recall to the Super Eagles

    He noted: “So my vision is the same  and like  the other  players, he (Ahmed)  is given a chance  and he  needs to take the chance and show us what he can do,

    “ Good  if he  you (can) make a great, you (Ahmed)  can come on (to the Super Eagles).

    ‘But for him, I think he has a lot of pressure because he needs to be very good (to make the team),” he  affirmed.