Chelle Can’t Afford Not To Qualify Nigeria For 2026 World Cup’

Former Nigerian international Sylvanus Okpala has told Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, that he must do everything possible to qualify the senior national team for the 2026 World Cup.

Okpala made this known in a chat with Brila FM, where he said that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has the right to appoint any coach they desire for the Super Eagles.

He also pointed out that the NFF must take full responsibility if things fail to go as planned.

“The point is that if we don’t qualify for the World Cup, we have failed,” he told Brila FM. “NFF has every right if that’s the coach they want, but he has to qualify us for the World Cup. If he doesn’t do that, he has failed.”

“Nigeria cannot afford not to go to the World Cup for the second time. It will be very disastrous for Nigerian football. It’s becoming difficult, but it is not impossible; there is still room with six games left.

“So later, they shouldn’t come with the excuse that things had already gone wrong before his appointment because they would have waited until after the qualifiers to appoint him,” he concluded.

Chelle has promised to play an attacking style of football as he works towards pulling the Super Eagles’ World Cup chestnuts from the fire.

The Franco-Malian, who was officially presented by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, says he is aware of the expectations of Nigerians — and is prepared for them.

“Football is about scoring goals, I love attacking football, this is my philosophy,” Sékou Chelle said at Monday’s ceremony.

“I know the expectations of Nigerians, and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup.”

“To coach the most populous Black nation in the world is an honour. For me, it is the best nation in Africa. I am elated and will do my utmost best. I believe Nigeria can qualify for the World Cup.”