Super Eagles’ new coach Eric Chelle has declared his commitment to playing attacking football, emphasizing that his team will embody this philosophy.
The 47-year-old coach made this statement, along with other key points, during his official unveiling ceremony on Monday in Abuja.
The NFF introduced Eric Chelle to fans, the media, and stakeholders as he officially began his tenure as the 39th manager of the Super Eagles.
At the event, Chelle shared insights into his plans for the team, his coaching philosophy, and what fans should expect during his time in charge.
Here are three key takeaways from Eric Chelle’s press conference:
1. Attacking Football
Eric Chelle has promised fans an exciting, attack-oriented style of play.
His love for goals will be reflected in how the Super Eagles approach their games.
“I love attacking football, this is my philosophy. Football is about scoring goals.”
2. Fan of the Super Eagles since 1998
Chelle revealed his deep admiration for the Super Eagles, dating back to the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
He recounted his passion for the team, including buying their jersey and watching all their games during the tournament, where Denmark eliminated them in the second round.
“When I was young, Nigeria was my favorite team. I bought the jersey and watched every game. During the World Cup in France, I was in Marseille watching the matches. This is my team.”
3. Better Management Structures and Effective Techniques
Eric Chelle has committed to improving the Super Eagles’ game management and implementing effective techniques. He also emphasized the need for his team to show aggression both on and off the ball.
The Super Eagles have recently struggled with game management, particularly when taking the lead. A notable example is their recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda, where they squandered a 1-0 lead and ultimately lost 2-1.
Chelle is determined to address such issues to strengthen the team.
“We need to establish better management structures and adopt effective techniques. We must be aggressive and focused.”
Eric Chelle faces the significant task of leading the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Currently, the team is in a precarious position, with just three points from four matches in the qualification series, putting their hopes of making back-to-back World Cups in jeopardy.
The Super Eagles are set to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe when the qualifiers resume in March.
