A Nigerian lifeline for Chelle
On January 7, 2025, Chelle was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles, taking over as interim head Augustine Eguavoen.
A Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) A statement said Chelle was tasked with “guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final”. At the time of his appointment, Nigeria was four points behind group leader Rwanda in World Cup qualifying.
However, Chelle weathered the storm and took Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup play-offs, with the Super Eagles beating Gabon 4-1 after extra time in their first match before losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties. Chelle failed to achieve his goal of reaching the World Cup, but the confidence Nigeria had in him did not wane even after his team lost 2-1 to Egypt in a friendly match ahead of the AFCON.
The pattern of how Chelle wanted to play was clear, even if the execution was sometimes lacking. Nigeria could score goals, but struggled in defense.
The three-time African champions carried the same form into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring eight times in the group stage but conceding four. At their best, however, they showed that they could compete with any side.
On their way to the semi-finals, Chelle’s men have now scored fourteen goals at the 2025 AFCON, the most of any team. They are also only two goals away from equaling Ivory Coast as the country with the most goals in one edition. The Elephants set the record with sixteen goals in 2008, but Nigeria’s attack, led by Ademola Lookman And Victor Osimhenwho has 13 Super Eagles goals to his name is on course to surpass this.
With 11 wins, five draws and one defeat from 17 games under Chelle, there is optimism that Nigeria can win their fourth AFCON crown.
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