Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has declared that winning trophies is the minimum expectation that comes with managing Nigeria, as he outlined his ambitions for the team ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup in London and subsequent friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Sunday PUNCH reports.
“When I took the job, my goal was to win. You can ask the Nigeria Football Federation, but definitely, if you are the coach of the Super Eagles, you need to win, so there is a lot of pressure, but I’m ready to do my job and try to give the best for this country,” Chelle told TVC News.
The Malian tactician’s comments come despite reported interest in his services from vacant coaching positions in Africa and the French Ligue 1 following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, signalling his commitment to the Nigeria project.
Chelle’s immediate focus is the Unity Cup at The Valley in London, which he described as a valuable opportunity to assess emerging talents and widen his player pool. Several uncapped and fringe players are expected to receive call-ups, with Plymouth Argyle forward Owen Oseni, Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi, Hamburg winger Philip Otele, Dukla Prague midfielder Samson Tijani and Ikorodu City captain Tosin Oyedokun among those tipped to feature.
“Definitely, Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talent, but not all will play at the same time, so I try my best to give opportunities to those who can fit into our philosophy and vision, which is to become the best,” he said.
Chelle was also spotted attending Nigeria Premier Football League matches ahead of his squad announcement, with home-based players clearly within his considerations.
“There are some good talents in the league. I watched some of them because I follow them, and I wanted to see them in real situations. I have already made my choice, so we will see in a few days,” the coach said.
After the Unity Cup, attention turns to the friendlies against Poland and Portugal, for which Chelle is expected to name a stronger squad. However, he acknowledged that player availability could prove a headache, with many top-flight stars requiring rest after a long club season.
“At this time, this is difficult because for these games against Poland and Portugal, players are on holiday. They have spent a year playing, some have minor injuries, and they need to rest, so it will depend on how they feel. I have a few days to think about everything. Now, I prefer to stay focused on the Unity Cup and work during these few days for the games in June,” he said.
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