Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Chelle has declared that winning trophies is the minimum expectation for anyone managing Nigeria’s senior national team.
The Malian tactician made the statement while discussing preparations for the 2026 Unity Cup in London and upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.
Speaking in an interview with TVC News, Chelle acknowledged that the pressure of coaching the three-time African champions is enormous but insisted he is fully prepared for the task.
“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 pressure, but I am ready to give my best for this country,” he said.
The former Mali coach reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria despite reported interest from clubs and national teams following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, explaining that the Unity Cup would provide an opportunity to assess new players and expand the national team pool, with several uncapped and fringe players expected to feature.
Chelle noted that Nigeria possesses enormous football talent and that his responsibility is to identify players who fit the team’s philosophy and long-term vision. He also revealed that he has been monitoring players in the Nigeria Premier Football League and remains open to inviting home-based talents into the national team setup.
Looking ahead to the friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Chelle acknowledged that player fitness could be a concern given the physical demands of the European season, but said his immediate focus remains on Unity Cup preparations.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
