National Teams
“We trust Chelle’s vision”—NFF President on CHAN Eagles role and World Cup ticket
By Dayo Awoniyi
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has reaffirmed the Federation’s full support for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, shedding light on the coach’s expanded responsibilities and Nigeria’s roadmap to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
French-born Chelle, who took charge following the departure of interim boss Austin Eguavoen, remains unbeaten despite a challenging start to his tenure.
In a recent interview with UK-based Nigerian journalist Osasuo, Gusau emphasized the Federation’s backing and Chelle’s strategic role in developing the national team.
“We are doing our best to provide Eric Chelle with everything he needs,” Gusau stated.
Gusau explained that assigning Chelle to oversee the CHAN Eagles—Nigeria’s home-based national team—was a calculated decision aimed at long-term player development.
“We gave him the responsibility of handling the CHAN Eagles so he could assess potential talents for the main squad,” he said.
He also highlighted the collaborative relationship between Chelle and the NFF, noting that the coach was given the freedom to bring in his preferred assistants to ensure cohesion.
“I asked him what he needed to succeed, and he said he wanted all his assistants to join him. I said, ‘Fine.’ He took over the team in a tough situation—something many coaches would have turned down.”
Despite the early turbulence in Chelle’s reign, Gusau remains optimistic about the future.
“Despite all the difficulties, he has assured me that we will qualify for the World Cup. We have no intention of making last-minute coaching decisions, as we understand how risky that can be.”
With these remarks, Gusau has set a clear tone of stability and trust in Chelle’s leadership, as Nigeria charts a path toward international resurgence under his guidance.
