Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle faces mounting pressure to guide Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with former international Sylvanus Okpalla insisting that qualification is non-negotiable.
After four consecutive winless matches in the qualifiers, Nigeria must turn their fortunes around to claim the sole automatic qualification spot in Group C.
Speaking to Brila FM, Okpalla expressed his concerns about the team’s performance under Chelle, emphasizing that the coach has no justification for failure.
He dismissed the notion of allowing Chelle more time to settle into his role, stating that immediate results are expected.
“He said he was observing the players, but that’s nothing new. Coaches everywhere do that,” Okpalla remarked. “Look at Liverpool—when a new manager arrives, they don’t get a grace period; they are expected to compete and win titles immediately.
It’s the same for Chelle. He was appointed to change the situation, and if he cannot, then why was he given the job?”
Nigeria, a team with a strong World Cup pedigree, cannot afford further setbacks in their qualifying campaign.
Group C remains highly competitive, and only the top team will secure direct qualification for the 2026 tournament.
The stakes are high, and with expectations from both fans and football authorities, Chelle must deliver results swiftly to keep the Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes alive.
