Tag: Eric Sekou Chelle

Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has expressed   satisfaction  over the  performance of  the Super Eagles following their 4-0 win over Benin Republic in the  decisive MatchDay 10 World Cup qualifier  at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo yesterday.

Nigeria clinched a World Cup playoffs spot after finishing with 17 points in Group C with just one point behind Group winners, South Africa, much to the delight of the  Franco-Malian trainer.

“I’m so proud of my players, they deserve the win in this game because it was not easy with a new coach, a new philosophy. This is just the beginning, things are not finished and it will be very difficult as we have to go to Morocco.

Read Also: Peterside  calls for credible administrators in NFF

He added: “ I’m just really happy for my players because  they played a great game, just as they did against Lesotho few days ago.”

Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen netted a hat trick before Frank Onyeka scored the fourth goal late in the game. Eric Chelle called Victor Osimhen ‘best striker in the world’ following his heroics on Tuesday.

“All my players played well against Benin Republic especially Victor Osimhen, who is the best striker in the world,” Chelle chuckled. “We lose together as a team and we win together as a team.”

Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle had  a total of 20 players for the Super Eagles’ second training session  yesterday in Polokwane, ahead of  tomorrow’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

A total of 18 players were in the team’s The Ranch Hotel as at Tuesday night  while Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams  joined  the group  in time for yesterday’s second training. United States of America-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is expected to land in South Africa today .

Chelle has had to tinker the team following injuries to defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forward Cyriel Dessers, bringing in Sanusi and Crystal Palace of England’s Christantus Uche. Injury to wing-back Felix Agu had cut the squad from 23 to 22.

Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun is yet to be issued with an entry visa into South Africa, meaning Nigeria could probably prosecute the encounter with 21 players.

Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

The Matchday 9 encounter is billed for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday, 10th October 2025 and will kick off at 6pm South African time (5pm Nigerian time).

21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); 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); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).

By Yusuf Kareem

In a  classic display  of naivety, coach Eric Sekou Chelle  has admitted that  the Super Eagles  1-1 draw away to  Bafana Bafana of South Africa  in their Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at  the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein  on Tuesday, was “a good  result”.

In a match  Nigeria needed all the three points to stay in hunt  of the group leader South Africa for the group’ s sole automatic ticket, the Super Eagles went behind  in the 25^th minute  no thanks to an unfortunate own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong .It took the  bravery of defender Charles Bassey  for the Chelle-led side to secure a leveller towards the end of the first half.

“To draw with South Africa in South Africa is a good result, but we wanted to win, so we’re a bit disappointed tonight,” Chelle said in his post-match analysis, Chelle said, per Legit Sports.

He added in another breath : “For me, it was a great game with a lot of intensity and aggression,” Chelle said. “Both teams tried to play good football despite the pitch. Congratulations to South Africa, they had a very strong game, and I’m proud of my team as well.

Read Also: Rio Olympics: Disu charges NFF to speak up over unpaid loans

“ We came here to win, we took risks by keeping a one-on-one setup at the back, but unfortunately, in just  25 minutes we conceded. After that, the players showed great spirit to fight back.”

But the Super Eagles’ qualification hope have been dealt further blow  following  Republic of Benin’s  comprehensive 4-0 defeat  of  Lesotho in  the other  Group C game  late Tuesday night.

Following the September international break, Bafana remained at the top of Group C with 17 points, followed by Benin with 14 points. Chelle’s Super Eagles are currently third with just 11 points.

Now, to qualify, Nigeria will hope both South Africa and Benin lose their remaining two fixtures, a scenario that is highly unlikely to happen.

Yet, Chelle remains optimistic that the Super Eagles can qualify, adding  his team will fight until the end for a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“My players are professionals, and I know they will still want to win the remaining two games. A lot can happen over the next one month,” he offered. “But before that, we will have to analyse our performance tonight, which will not be easy.”

By Victor Oguntade

Nigeria trainer  Eric Sekou Chelle believes the Super Eagles B  otherwise known as CHAN Eagles , can salvage some pride  in their final  preliminary Group D  match  against  Congo today in spite of the fact that  they  have already crashed  out of  the 8^th African Nations Championship  holding in East Africa.

The CHAN Eagles  had  lost their  previous two matches  to Senegal and Sudan  hence today’s match remains inconsequential  from Nigeria’s point of view.

That notwithstanding,  Chelle  said the match holding  at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania),  offers  him and his wards  the opportunity  to rectify past mistakes.

 “ We have lost two games  and we need to change some things (in the game against Congo),” Chelle  said at yesterday’s  pre-match conference.

Read Also: NFF  names Mary Akinsola  Super Falcons’ Media Officer

The Franco-Malian  expressed his disappointment over the team’s shoddy displays in the 1-0 defeat to Senegal and a 4-0 thrashing by Sudan. The team conceded five goals in the tournament, with Chelle citing the numerous mistakes as a major concern.

“We gave five goals in this tournament because we did a lot of mistakes,” he said. “So, it’s difficult for us mentally because  in reality, the tournament is done for us.”

He added: “We need to come back to Nigeria  with something and tomorrow is a day that we can try to forget our mistakes.

“ I’m waiting on my players mentally and how they will play this game  but they need to have focus as professional players .

“ This is the time for these players  to show the quality they have though in the last two weeks (in the two games) we have seen a lot of weaknesses .

“ But they need to show our qualities .”

Super Eagles  Head coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, has provided insights into the team’s preparations for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship ahead of their international friendly against Zanzibar scheduled for today.

Speaking to the media in Zanzibar, Chelle expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far by the squad, highlighting the importance of the match as part of their broader preparation for upcoming competitions.

 “Our preparations began two weeks ago,” Chelle stated. “My first camping in Ikenne, near Lagos, allowed us to do a lot of work physically, tactically, and technically.”

Chelle, who is overseeing his first camp as head coach of the home-based Super Eagles, praised the facilities and reception in Zanzibar, noting that the environment has been conducive to their training objectives.

 “We continue our preparations here in Zanzibar and we thank you for the warm welcome again. We are happy about the structure we have seen in Zanzibar. We can continue with the rest of our preparations here.”

Read Also: Gusau: NFF owes Super Falcons ‘little outstanding’

Looking ahead to the friendly match, Chelle described Zanzibar as a “great team” and emphasized the importance of taking each game seriously as they build toward more competitive fixtures.

 “We are going to play against Zanzibar tomorrow. They are a great team and we expect a good game. It provides a good avenue for us to prepare the team. We are taking the games one after the other and we shall see after what we can do in the competition.”

The match against Zanzibar will serve as a crucial test for the CHAN Eagles, made up exclusively of players plying their trade in the domestic league, as they aim to fine-tune strategies and assess player readiness under the new technical leadership of Chelle.

The Super Eagles B will face Senegal, Sudan and Congo in Group D of the 2024 CHAN to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from August 2^nd  to 30^th .

Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has  yet  revealed his plans to use the June international window  to shop out more players for the Super Eagles, adding he has a long list of players  to give a look-in.

The Franco-Malian  got a flying start  with a 2-0  win away to  Rwanda  in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers  but nearly got his fingers burnt  after Zimbabwe  got a late equaliser in Uyo much to the chagrin  of  Nigerians.

But in an interview with SCORENigeria, Chelle   said that his next target is to freshen up his squad ‘in some key positions’  with some eligible Nigerians abroad  in the upcoming international  friendly matches .

Super Eagles will face Russia for the first time in an international friendly game in June before taken part in a four nation invitational tournament which has Jamaica and Ghana in the same month.

Chelle reportedly has Lesley Ugochukwu, George Ilenikhena, Carney Chukwuemeka among others among the players he has on his radar to discuss with, with a prospect to play for Nigeria.

Read Also: Boro boss backs  ‘proven’ Iheanacho to keep scoring

“He shows me a long list of over 30 such players, from Lesley Ugochukwu to George Ilenikhena and Carney Chukwuemeka,” SCORENigeria ‘s Editor, Sam Audu , said.

“There are lots of players who can still play for Nigeria. I will work with the NFF to make this possible,” Chelle noted.

The former Malian coach  was quoted as saying  that he was looking forward with a lot of excitement to the June international break as it will afford him the chance to have the Super Eagles for probably the longest period .

This would   afford him the  chance to take a closer look at some players who were not part of his first two matches in March’s World cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

“I am here to work,” he maintained.

Chelle affirmed that his immediate priority is to prepare a team that will be ready to beat Rwanda first on MatchDay Seven  in September before facing the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in what would be a do or die affairs  in Johannesburg on  MatchDay eight .

“It’s an obligation we win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo,” he noted.

Franco-Malian coach,  Eric Sekou Chelle, seemingly  admitted  he got his tactics and substitutions  wrong  in  Super  Eagles’ disappointing  1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in  their Matchday 6  FIFA World Cup  2026 encounter in Uyo on Tuesday.

In what turned out to be a nerve-wrecking  tie for Nigerians, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen headed the Super Eagles in front in the 74^th minute but Zimbabwe rescued a point after Tawanda Chirewa slotted past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from an acute angle in stoppage time.

A crest-fallen Chelle said  at his post-match conference that he instructed  the Super Eagles to press for  more goals  rather than defend  their lead  even after pulling out ace striker Osimhen  for Leverkusen’s forward, Victor Boniface..

Read Also: NFF partners Nigerian Breweries,  Carloha boost Super Eagles

“We tried to score many goals, and after we scored, I told my players to continue trying to score another goal,” the 41-year-old  Chelle  who suffered similar hear-break with Mali at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when the  Eagles surrendered  their 71^st  1-0 lead to lose 2-1 with two late goals  in the 90^th  and 122^nd  minutes to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire , told reporters after the game in Uyo.   “We were a little tired. We need ten seconds to analyse this goal because we made a small mistake to concede the goal.

“This is how we conceded against Rwanda here. This goal determined the result of the match.”

Tuesday’s was Chelle’s second game in charge of the Super Eagles  after  he  opened his account with an impressive  2-0 win against Rwanda away in Kigali last Friday.

But he reckoned  that there  were still some positives  from the pulsating 1-1 draw against  Zimbabwe, adding he needs time to whip  the  Super Eagles  into a formidable force.

He noted: “My job is to analyse this game, and I think the team improved. The team improved in intensity and aggressivity with the ball. They made fast attacks. They made long possession of the ball. This is football. We’ve seen lots of games like that.

“Maybe I need some time, too; maybe not. But I think we deserved to win this game.”

Yet he slammed the players’ wastefulness in front of the goalpost especially in the first stanza of the ill-fated match.  

“Normally, we can score maybe ten goals in the first half,” he further said.“ When we score a goal in the second half, we think that maybe it’s finished. It is tough because my players were the best on the pitch.

 “I’m so disappointed for my players and for the country,” he added.

After six  round of matches, the Super Eagles are currently  fourth with seven points in Group C where they are behind South Africa (13 points); Rwanda (8 points); Benin (8 points) while  Lesotho are in fifth position on six  points and Zimbabwe  in rear position with  four points.

Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has yet again reaffirmed Super Eagles’ readiness  to claim  the three maximum points  at stake  in today’s  FIFA World Cup 2026 against  the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali.

With only three points from their first four games, the Super Eagles face a must-win situation against the  Amavubi to keep their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive on the Rwandan soil where they have never won after three previous visits.

In his pre-match press conference,  Chelle acknowledged the tough task before the  Super Eagles but was confident in his team’s abilities:

 “They have a new coach, they want to win and we also want to win. We are ready,” the Franco-Malian coach  said.

He  emphasized the importance of the Super Eagles focusing on their own game, highlighting the team’s strengths and the need for hard work.

Read Also: NFF name Eric Chelle as Super Eagles’ Head Coach

“We must focus on our game, we have a great squad. We must work hard. What we do with the ball and off the ball will be important. We are focusing on our preparation and we will be ready.”

He further revealed that the team has been engaged in intense meetings and training sessions, with a clear plan in place for achieving success:

 Chelle continued: “We have had a lot of meetings and training sessions. I have communicated my plans, and how we intend to achieve success.

 “I just want to be with my players, I want my players to focus on this game and after that, we will see the other games. We need to win this game.”

The highly-anticipated encounter between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Rwanda’s Amavubi is scheduled to take place at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali by 5pm Nigerian time today.

Coach  Eric Sekou Chelle yesterday led the first batch of the Super Eagles’ contingent  to Kigali ahead of Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup   qualifier against  Group C leaders, Rwanda.

On Chelle’s entourage were the two players  sourced  from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), goalkeeper Kayode Bankole from Remo Stars and Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel, as well as the  team’s  backroom and his Nigerian coaching assistants.   

“ The two-home based players, Nigerian  assistant coaches and backroom staff will  arrive Kigali today,” an official told NationSports. “ But most of the players  would troop in by Monday.” 

Elsewhere  SCORENigeria claimed the  Radisson Blu Hotel in Kigali, which the NFF advance party booked for the Super Eagles, is expected to bubble with a full-house of call-ups tonight.

Read Also: Heartland vs. 3SC: NFF suspends two over controversial officiating

Officials reportedly  stated  that Moses Simon, who featured for FC Nantes Saturday night to clear any injury fears, Igho Ogbu, Stanley Nwabali, Joe Aribo, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Osimhen and  William Ekong are all expected to fly into Rwanda today.

 “The last player will come in Tuesday so that we could have at least three full training sessions,” a team official was quoted as saying.

The Super Eagles are up against hosts Rwanda Friday evening, before they take on Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday, March 25, as the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume.