Title: Super Eagles' Coach Eric Chelle Prioritizes 2026 World Cup Qualification

 

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has made it clear that securing a spot in the **2026 FIFA World Cup** is his foremost priority as the team prepares for upcoming qualifiers scheduled to begin in March. Following his recent appointment, Chelle emphasized the need for focused preparation, stating, “There is no little team in the AFCON; focus is essential. My priority right now is on my players, the team, and the matches in March” .

Currently, Nigeria finds itself in a challenging position within the qualifiers, sitting in **fifth place** with just three points after four matches. The team has struggled significantly, remaining winless in their last seven World Cup qualifying games, a streak that dates back to November 2021. With crucial matches against **Rwanda** and **Zimbabwe** on the horizon, Chelle is particularly focused on these encounters as they could define Nigeria's chances of advancing in the qualifiers.

Chelle's commitment to prioritizing World Cup qualification comes at a time when Nigeria missed out on the last World Cup held in Qatar. The coach aims to build on the team's recent performance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they secured a silver medal, and leverage that momentum to achieve success in the upcoming qualifiers .

The Super Eagles' remaining fixtures include:

- **March 17**: Rwanda vs. Nigeria

- **March 24**: Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe

- **September 1**: Nigeria vs. Rwanda

- **September 8**: South Africa vs. Nigeria

- **October 6**: Lesotho vs. Nigeria

- **October 13**: Nigeria vs. Benin

As preparations intensify, Chelle and his squad are determined to turn their fortunes around and secure a ticket to the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.