The NFF and Eric Sekou Chelle have both taken a massive chance for the Super Eagles to get the faltering 2026 World Cup campaign back on course beginning with tomorrow’s must-win clash in Rwanda.
Three-time African champions languish second from bottom of Group C with three points after they failed to record a win in four rounds of qualifying games.
They are four points adrift of group leaders Rwanda, who also shocked their star-studded opponents 2-1 in Nigeria in November on the final day of the qualifying series for the 2025 AFCON.
In January after a long delay, the NFF appointed former Mali coach Eric Chelle to end their search for a foreign coach since June 2024.
He was not a popular appointment, but the NFF maintained they have hired the former RC Lens defender because of his vast knowledge of African football after he steered a solid Eagles of Mali to the knockout rounds of the 2023 AFCON.
Eric Chelle led the same Mali to beat the Super Eagles 2-0 in a friendly in March 2024.
It was a deserved win by Mali, who outclassed their more illustrious opponents in all departments of the game.
The young coach has taken a most daunting job with Nigeria’s back against the wall and he has done this at great personal sacrifice that has included accepting a hefty pay cut.
He could be likened to a military coup plotter – if he succeeded to overthrow a government, he will be President and if he failed, he will be a dead man.
Victor Osimhen has led by example with his celebrated early arrival to Rwanda and has been saying the right things about reviving the country’s World Cup qualification hopes.
The team must now bring their undoubted class to bear where it matters most – the pitch.
Tomorrow’s match is one of the most important for Nigeria football in a long time and it is a baptism of fire literally for the new Super Eagles coach.
Victory and not necessarily how it is achieved is the target tomorrow.
Then after, the target will be another three points against Zimbabwe Tuesday in Uyo.
Fingers crossed – this massive gamble will pay off.
