Eric Chelle, the newly appointed coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has vowed to bring a fresh approach to the team as they aim to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Malian tactician has pledged to prioritize player performances over reputations, signaling a significant shift in the team’s selection process.
This new direction could pave the way for overlooked talents such as Chuba Akpom, Nathan Tella, and Chrisantus Uche, who have been excelling in Europe.
Akpom has impressed with his performances at Middlesbrough and Ajax before moving to Lille, while Tella is making waves at Bayer Leverkusen, and Uche has emerged as one of La Liga’s standout players.
Despite their strong form, none of these players featured in Nigeria’s recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) or World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles have struggled in their current World Cup qualification campaign, failing to secure a win in four matches.
They are currently fifth in Group C, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho. Only the group winners will earn an automatic spot at the tournament, leaving Chelle with the daunting task of revitalizing Nigeria’s hopes.
Chuba Akpom recently hinted at Chelle’s merit-based approach, sharing insights from a conversation with Nigeria’s star striker, Victor Osimhen.
According to Akpom, Osimhen revealed that the new coach would only consider players who consistently perform at their clubs and in training.
“I was just speaking to Victor Osimhen about it after our game against Galatasaray,” Akpom told journalist Oluwashina Okeleji via ScoreNigeria.
“There are a lot of good strikers in the team, but I believe the national team should always be picked on merit. Victor said the new coach has the mentality that if you’re not performing in training or playing well for your club, you won’t get selected. I’m always open to it—if I get the call-up, it’ll be an honour.”
