Eric Chelle, head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has declared his ambition to win both the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup with the nation.
Chelle, appointed in 2023, made the statement during a recent interview on the Histoires de Foot Podcast. His current contract with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has less than a year remaining. The 48-year-old Malian coach contextualised his current goals within a broader career vision, recalling a previous aspiration to become the first African manager of Real Madrid.
“I have a structure around me to try to progress as a coach,” Chelle said. “But that is not my only dream. I want to win the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. If we had gone through, I wanted to qualify for the World Cup with Nigeria, and I even wanted to win that World Cup. I have lots of dreams. I am 48 years old but still young and someone who wants to realise his dreams.”
Chelle’s tenure began with immediate success, guiding Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. That result provided a foundation following the team’s group-stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Nigeria has not won AFCON since 2013 and has not progressed beyond the World Cup group stage since 1998.
The coach’s stated objectives represent a significant challenge. Winning AFCON requires navigating a highly competitive continental tournament, while capturing the World Cup remains a feat no African nation has achieved. Nigeria’s qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway, with the process for the next AFCON also commencing.
Chelle’s future with the Super Eagles is intrinsically linked to these ambitions. With his contract nearing expiration, the NFF will evaluate his progress against these long-term goals. His public focus on global and continental trophies sets a clear benchmark for his leadership. The next practical steps involve Nigeria’s remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the subsequent AFCON qualifying campaign, where Chelle’s strategies and the team’s performance will be closely scrutinised against his declared vision.
