Nigeria has appointed Eric Chelle as head coach, entrusting him with reviving the Super Eagles’ faltering bid for the 2026 World Cup. Chelle, 47, was most recently the head coach of Mali’s national football team, which he led to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. Born in Abidjan, the former center-back earned five caps for Mali during his career. He played club football in France, notably with Lens. Nigeria, struggling in Group C with only three points from four matches, lags behind Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who each have seven points. The team resumes their campaign in March with crucial matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. With only group winners earning automatic qualification and runners-up facing play-offs, Chelle faces a formidable task to secure Nigeria’s place in the upcoming tournament.
Source: Reuters
