Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and his assistant Hedi Taboubi are reportedly in England to hold talks with key Premier League players, including Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, and Taiwo Awoniyi, as preparations intensify for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
With just three points from four matches, Nigeria faces an uphill battle in Group C, where Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin currently lead the race for the automatic qualification spot.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, needing maximum points to revive their campaign.
Oparaku’s Advice: Build a Team, Not Just Individuals
Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku has urged Chelle to prioritize team cohesion rather than relying on individual brilliance.
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The 48-year-old, who played a key role in Nigeria’s historic gold-medal triumph at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, believes unity is crucial for success.
“When they step onto the pitch next month, they should not see themselves as individuals playing for Nigeria but as a team representing the country,” Oparaku told Brila FM.
“There’s a difference between a group of players coming to represent the Super Eagles and a unified team fighting for Nigeria. If they play as a team, we can properly evaluate them.
But if we only talk about individual talents, then we don’t have a real team. I hope this new coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, can instill a strong team spirit for the World Cup qualifiers.”
Super Eagles Seek Redemption Against Rwanda
The Super Eagles will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in Uyo during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
That setback, under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, did not stop Nigeria from securing a spot at the tournament in Morocco later this year.
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However, Chelle now faces the task of reigniting Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes with a crucial victory over Rwanda on matchday five.
Nigeria’s Qualification Challenge
Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.
With Rwanda leading Group C on seven points—closely followed by South Africa and Benin—Nigeria must secure maximum points to stay in the qualification race. Lesotho sits fourth with five points, while Zimbabwe trails at the bottom with two.
As Chelle meets with key players in England, Nigerian fans will hope these discussions translate into a more united and determined Super Eagles team when they return to action next month.
Source: The Athletic NG
