Eric Chelle eyes World Cup playoffs after Nigeria’s emphatic qualification win

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has expressed confidence and determination ahead of the CAF World Cup playoff round, following Nigeria’s commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo—a result that secured the team’s passage to the final phase of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Chelle, who took charge of the West Africans just months ago, praised his players for their resilience and unity throughout the qualification campaign.

The win over Benin extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run under his leadership and marked a dramatic end to the group stage.

“I’m so proud of my players; they deserved this win,” Chelle said after the match. “It wasn’t easy coming in with a new philosophy, but they adapted quickly. This is not the end—it’s just the beginning.”

The coach emphasized that while the playoffs in Morocco will pose a significant challenge, the current momentum gives the team a strong foundation to build on. He described the qualification as a turning point in the team’s journey, crediting the squad’s hunger and togetherness for the result.

Chelle also expressed appreciation to Nigerian fans for their support, noting the atmosphere in Uyo played a key role in motivating the team.

He singled out forward Victor Osimhen for special praise, calling him “the best striker in the world” and a driving force behind the team’s dominant display.

“Thank God, and I’m happy for the fans because they pushed us to this victory,” Chelle said.

“The players gave their all—especially Osimhen.”

Looking ahead, the coach reaffirmed his belief that Nigeria’s best football is still to come, describing his squad as “my champions” and reiterating their readiness for the challenges that await in the playoff round.

With the victory, Chelle not only cemented his unbeaten record as head coach but also reignited hope across the nation for a return to the global stage when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

“This is just the beginning,” Chelle said. “We are fired up for what comes next.”

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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