Former Super Eagles coach Chief Adeboye Onigbinde has urged newly appointed Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle to properly manage the nation’s wealth of footballing talent if he hopes to succeed.
Despite boasting some of Africa’s finest footballers, Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign has been disappointing.
The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho, with only the group winner earning automatic qualification.
Nigeria’s squad features Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi (England), Victor Boniface and Gift Orban (Germany), Chuba Akpom and Moses Simon (France), Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman (Italy), along with several other top talents across Europe.
However, results have not matched expectations, leaving Chelle with a tough challenge to turn things around.
Chelle’s Task: Rebuilding the Super Eagles
Following a period of instability under Finidi George and Augustine Eguavoen, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has placed its trust in Chelle to guide the Super Eagles to their first World Cup since 2018.
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To achieve this, Chelle has already met with key players in Europe, including Iwobi, Ndidi, and Simon, in a bid to build a stronger, more cohesive team. He is also reportedly looking to introduce fresh talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Chelle will hope to kick off his Super Eagles reign with a win.
Onigbinde’s Advice: Talent Alone Won’t Guarantee Success
Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 1984 AFCON final and guided Shooting Stars to the 1994 CAF Champions League final, acknowledges that Nigeria possesses world-class players but warns that proper management will determine success.
“It depends on how you look at it,” Onigbinde told Complete Sports.
“If you consider Nigeria’s natural footballing talent, then there’s no reason we shouldn’t be beating Rwanda and every other team in our group.
“Nigeria has the players to be one of the best teams in the world. But the real question is, how do we manage these talents?”
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 26: LAENDERSPIEL 2002, London; NIGERIA – PARAGUAY (NGA – PAR) 1:1; TRAINER Festus ONIGBINDE/NGA (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)
Nigeria’s Road to the World Cup
The Super Eagles’ qualification campaign resumes in March with crucial fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. They will then face Rwanda again in August, before a potentially decisive away clash against South Africa in September.
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With South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin leading Group C on seven points, while Nigeria sits at just three points, Chelle must quickly find a winning formula to keep Nigeria’s World Cup hopes alive.
Source: The Athletic NG
