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Category: Super Eagles

  • W’Cup Qualifier: S/Eagles walk the tight rope, hope for S/Africa slip

    W’Cup Qualifier: S/Eagles walk the tight rope, hope for S/Africa slip

    Coach Eric Chelle says the Super Eagles will give their all against Benin Republic in today’s final Group C clash of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria, currently third in the group, must win in Uyo and hope South Africa drop points against Rwanda in Nelspruit to secure qualification.

    Benin Republic top the group with 17 points and need only a draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium to qualify ,for their first-ever FIFA World Cup.

    South Africa, second with 15 points, will advance with a win over Rwanda, unless Nigeria defeat Benin by two or more goals.

    Chelle expressed confidence in his team’s mindset ahead of the match.

    “We know the odds, but our focus is on winning,” Chelle told newsmen during a pre-match conference on Monday.

    “We owe it to ourselves, to the fans, and to the badge.

    “We can’t control what happens in Nelspruit, but we can control how we play here in Uyo,” he said. “We’re ready to fight for the result.”

    Cheetahs of Benin Republic

    Nigeria have featured in six World Cup tournaments since debuting in 1994. They aim to avoid back-to-back absences after missing the Qatar 2022 edition.

    Despite sitting third, the Super Eagles have lost only once in the group. Benin and South Africa have lost two matches each.

    Benin, coached by former Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr, are unbeaten in their last four qualifiers and have impressed throughout the campaign.

    “Benin are well organised and confident. They’ve earned their position,” Chelle said.

    “But we have experience and quality. We’re not stepping aside.”

    Nigeria’s squad includes key players with tournament experience.

    Captain William Ekong and midfielder Alex Iwobi played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

    Ekong, the 2024 AFCON Player of the Tournament, will earn his 83rd cap. Iwobi is set for his 89th appearance.

    Top scorer Victor Osimhen, along with Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka and Samuel Chukwueze, are among those targeting a first World Cup appearance.

    Benin have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations only four times, reaching the quarter-finals in 2019.

    Nigeria have won the continental title three times.

    Injury and suspension have affected both squads.

    Nigeria will be without Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

    Benin miss Yohan Roche and Sessi d’Almeida.

    “Injuries are part of football,” Chelle added.

    “But we have depth, and I believe in the players available. Everyone is ready to step up.”

    Benin’s population of 11.5 million will back Rohr’s team, while over 220 million Nigerians, including thousands in the stands, will rally behind the Super Eagles.

    A two-goal win for Nigeria, and failure by South Africa to beat Rwanda, will send the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

  • W’Cup Qualifier: Faulty aircraft delays Super Eagles’ arrival in Uyo

    W’Cup Qualifier: Faulty aircraft delays Super Eagles’ arrival in Uyo

    A cracked windscreen on a chartered aircraft has delayed the Super Eagles’ arrival in Uyo ahead of Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed this in a statement through Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications on Saturday made available to Nigerian Anchor in Abuja.

    The ValueJet aircraft was transporting the team from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    The same aircraft had flown part of the delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night, arriving on Friday morning.

    The incident occurred after a refueling stop in Luanda, Angola.

    According to the NFF, the aircraft developed a cracked windscreen mid-air after take-off from Luanda.

    The pilot returned the plane safely to the airport in Luanda.

    The aircraft had also used Luanda for refueling during previous trips to and from Bloemfontein for the Matchday 8 tie against South Africa.

    The NFF said officials are working to resolve the situation.

    Authorities involved include the Minister of Aviation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Staff to the President.

    Efforts are ongoing to secure flight clearance for another aircraft to convey the team from Luanda to Uyo. 

  • Chelle hails Super Eagles victory over Rwanda

    Chelle hails Super Eagles victory over Rwanda

    Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed delight over his team’s victory against Rwanda’s Amavubi in their World Cup qualifying match in Uyo.

    Chelle made the remarks during a post-match briefing at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday.

    He said he was pleased with the first-half performance, noting the Eagles’ 70 per cent possession, which he attributed to the Rwandan players’ fatigue.

    “This is why, in the second half, they did not press us. After our goal, we had two wingers, more professionals, and it was the plan.

    “We are happy because we won by one, but we cannot face South Africa with that formation. I am happy only because of Tuesday’s game,” he said.

    Chelle said it was his decision not to feature skipper William Troost-Ekong in the first half, insisting his priority was securing three points.

    “This is my choice. I do not need to explain. My job is to make decisions. Winning proves the decision was good,” he explained.

    He added: “If I fix something, it is based on my heart and analysis. My technical staff and I evaluate players carefully before deciding.”

    Chelle noted his tactical preference for a 4-4-2 diamond or flat formation, stressing his need for a strong defence, which was why he used five defenders.

    He, however, lamented that the Super Eagles wasted several scoring opportunities in spite of dominating the Amavubi.

    Earlier, Captain William Troost-Ekong admitted he took responsibility for not starting the match against Rwanda.

    He praised Benjamin Fredrick for an “amazing performance” against Rwanda, though he noted the youngster had faced significant pressure in previous matches.

    Troost-Ekong thanked fans and supporters in Uyo, saying it was good to reconnect with them. “We never stopped believing. Welcome back to the family,” he said.

    He stressed that Tuesday’s match against South Africa would be decisive, calling for focus and consistency.

    “We really believe in what we are doing. We must take it step by step. The next step is South Africa,” Troost-Ekong added. 

  • NFF Appoints Malian, Chelle Super Eagle’s Coach

    NFF Appoints Malian, Chelle Super Eagle’s Coach

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of Super Eagles, the country’s senior national team.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, disclosed in a statement that the Federation’s Executive Committee endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for Chelle’s appointment.

    “At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of the former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

    “This recommendation was on Tuesday endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee,” he said.

    Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022.

    Mali came very close to the semi-finals at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Côte d’Ivoire in February 2024, .

    They lost 2-1 after extra time to hosts and eventual winners Côte d’Ivoire, who also beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final.

    This was after they had led by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time.

    The 47-year-old Chelle featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career.

    Olajire added that Chelle’s appointment was with immediate effect, as he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

    Super Eagle’s next round of engagements —- Match Days 5 and 6 —— are in March, with Nigeria needing wins to return to contention for a qualification ticket.