A New Dawn for Nigerian Football?

The Super Eagles have a new leader, and expectations are soaring as Eric Chelle steps in as the national team’s head coach. However, Nigerian football legend Julius Aghahowa has already sounded a cautionary note, identifying two key areas the French-born Malian must address to rejuvenate the team’s fortunes: mentality and work rate.

The appointment of Chelle, announced by the Nigeria Football Federation earlier this week, has sparked mixed reactions. While some fans and pundits question the decision, Aghahowa remains optimistic that Chelle has what it takes to turn things around.

In a candid interview with Brila FM, the former Super Eagles striker highlighted what he sees as the Achilles’ heel of the team.

“Hopefully, he’ll bring in a different kind of mentality,” Aghahowa said. “We don’t have a talent problem. I would like to see how he impacts the team’s work rate and mentality. Our problem has always been the mentality of players coming from their clubs to represent Nigeria.”

The Mental Struggle

Recent performances by the Super Eagles have brought these issues into sharp focus. Despite boasting one of Africa’s most talented squads, Nigeria has faltered under pressure in critical games.

In 2024 alone, the team suffered heart-wrenching defeats despite taking early leads in matches. They let victories slip away against Côte d’Ivoire in the AFCON final, Benin in a World Cup qualifier, and Rwanda in another AFCON qualifier.

This worrying trend has fueled concerns about the team’s lack of mental resilience—a problem Aghahowa believes Chelle must urgently address.

The Road Ahead

While the Super Eagles have secured a spot at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, their World Cup dreams hang by a thread. After failing to win any of their first four qualifiers, Nigeria sits behind Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race.

Chelle, who was dismissed as Mali’s head coach following a poor start to their qualifiers, now faces an uphill battle to reignite Nigeria’s hopes.

His first test comes in March, with back-to-back matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Victories in both games are non-negotiable if the Super Eagles are to stay in contention for a ticket to the global showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A Nation Awaits

For now, Nigerian football fans await a new chapter under Chelle’s leadership. The question is whether he can deliver the mental toughness and work ethic Aghahowa believes are vital to the Super Eagles’ success.

Only time will tell if Eric Chelle is the man to lead the Super Eagles back to the pinnacle of African and global football.