Former Super Eagles midfielder Sylvanus Okpala has raised concerns following the appointment of Eric Chelle as head coach of Nigeria’s national team.
The appointment, made by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), comes at a critical juncture with the Super Eagles under pressure to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qualification is Non-Negotiable
Okpala emphasized the importance of World Cup qualification, stating that failure would be a massive setback for Nigerian football. Speaking to Brila FM, he said:
“The point is that if we don’t qualify for the World Cup, we have failed. The NFF has every right to choose their coach, but he has to qualify us. If he doesn’t, he has failed.”
The Super Eagles missed the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ghana on the away goals rule, and Okpala warned that missing a second consecutive tournament would be disastrous.
“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.”
A Tough Road Ahead
Chelle, a former Lens defender, inherits a challenging situation with six qualification games remaining. His immediate test will be must-win matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, where expectations are sky-high.
Okpala also urged the NFF to take responsibility for their decision and not use Chelle’s mid-campaign appointment as an excuse for potential failure.
“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.”
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High Stakes for Chelle and the Super Eagles
Chelle’s success will be measured by his ability to deliver results in these crucial qualifiers.
With the 2026 World Cup set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, securing Nigeria’s place is vital for the country’s football ambitions and pride.
The Super Eagles’ performances in the coming games will reveal whether the NFF’s gamble on Chelle pays off or further complicates their World Cup aspirations.
