AFCON 2025: Ike Shorunmu drums support for Eric Chelle

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu has expressed strong confidence in Eric Chelle’s ability to lead the Super Eagles to success in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Chelle, who recently made history as the first non-Nigerian African coach to take charge of the Super Eagles, has been tasked with steering the team toward two major objectives: securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup and guiding Nigeria to their fourth AFCON title in Morocco later this year.

While Chelle’s appointment has sparked mixed reactions, Shorunmu, who previously played for Besiktas, has offered his full support to the new coach.

He emphasized that the success of the team will largely depend on the cooperation of the players, stressing the importance of unity and effort in achieving their goals.

“Chelle is a good coach,” Shorunmu told The Guardian.

“The players need to be at their best to ensure that World Cup qualification and the 2025 AFCON objectives are achievable. The players are the ones who will make this happen. The coach’s job depends on the cooperation of everyone involved.”

The former goalkeeper also recounted the Super Eagles’ wealth of talent and experience, with many players having previously featured in the AFCON.

He believes that if the players come together and perform as a unit, the group stage of the tournament should pose no major issues.

“The team has a lot of talent and experience, with many players having featured in the AFCON before,” Shorunmu added.

“The group stage shouldn’t be a problem if the players get their acts together. But after that, they need to give their all, just like they did in Côte d’Ivoire. They were unlucky to lose the final, but they must not underrate any team.”

The Super Eagles are determined to end a 12-year wait for continental glory, with their last AFCON win coming in 2013.

Under Chelle’s guidance, the team will aim to claim their fourth title when the tournament kicks off in Morocco this December.