Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has warned that Nigeria must raise its performance levels to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. This call came shortly after Nigeria lifted the 2025 Unity Cup in a tightly contested final on Saturday.
Chelle, who only recently took over as head coach of the Super Eagles, expressed both joy and concern following the win. While he praised the fighting spirit of his players, he noted that two costly mistakes during the match showed the team still had work to do.
“We need to improve,” Chelle said. “We need to step up in our group, in our team. To go to the World Cup, we must be better. I can say my players have a good spirit and strong mindset, and I’m happy about that. But we need to think more about our game project.”
The 2025 Unity Cup, a regional competition involving several African national teams, marked Chelle’s first trophy as a coach. Although he had previously won several titles as a player, he described this win as a special milestone in his coaching journey.
“This is my first trophy as a coach,” Chelle said. “And I hope it is the beginning of many more for Nigeria.”
Chelle added that despite the errors during the final, the Super Eagles deserved to win the tournament and commended his players for their focus and determination.
Nigeria is currently in the race for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With strong competition in Africa’s qualifying rounds, Chelle’s message is clear — winning regional trophies is good, but the team must raise its game on the international stage.
The Super Eagles have featured in six World Cup tournaments since making their debut in 1994, with their best performance being a round of 16 finish. Fans are hopeful that under Chelle’s leadership, the team will not only qualify but make a stronger impact in 2026.
