Eric Chelle Declares Winning Mandatory as Super Eagles Coach Ahead of Unity Cup

Eric Chelle has insisted that winning trophies is the minimum expectation for anyone managing the Nigeria national football team as he continues preparations for the 2026 Unity Cup in London and upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

Speaking in an interview with TBC News, the Malian tactician stressed that success remains his primary mission since taking charge of the three-time African champions.

“When I took the job, my goal was to win. If you are the coach of the Super Eagles, you need to win. There is a lot of pressure, but I am ready to do my job and give my best for this country,” Chelle said.

Despite reported interest from clubs and national teams across Africa as well as sides in Ligue 1 following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Chelle reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria and his long-term vision for the national team.

The coach revealed that his immediate focus is on the Unity Cup at The Valley, which he believes will provide an opportunity to assess emerging talents and expand the Super Eagles player pool.

Several uncapped and fringe players are expected to feature in the tournament, including Owen Oseni, Rafiu Durosinmi, Philip Otele, Samson Tijani and Tosin Oyedokun.

“Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talent, but not everyone can play at the same time. My responsibility is to give opportunities to players who fit into our philosophy and vision of becoming the best,” Chelle added.

The former Mali coach also disclosed that he has been closely monitoring players in the Nigeria Premier Football League ahead of naming his squad, underlining that home-based players remain part of his long-term plans.

“There are good talents in the league. I wanted to see them in real match situations because I follow them closely. I have already made my choices and we will see the squad in a few days,” he said.

After the Unity Cup, Nigeria will turn attention to high-profile friendly matches against Poland and Portugal. However, Chelle admitted that player fitness and availability could become an issue following a demanding European season.

“For the games against Poland and Portugal, many players are already on holiday after a long season. Some are carrying minor injuries and need rest, so it will depend on how they feel. For now, my focus remains on the Unity Cup and preparing the team for the June matches,” he explained.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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