Nigeria pins its hopes on Malian tactician as the road to the 2026 World Cup intensifies

Moses Simon, Nantes’ influential forward and a stalwart of the Super Eagles, has become the first Nigerian international to welcome Eric Chelle as the team’s new head coach. In a message shared on his official X account, Simon wrote in French, “Bienvenue au Nigéria” (“Welcome to Nigeria”), signaling optimism for the Malian coach’s tenure.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) announced Chelle’s appointment late on January 7, 2025, marking the start of a critical chapter for the Super Eagles. Chelle, a former Mali international defender, steps into the role after Augustine Eguavoen’s interim stint, which followed Finidi George’s resignation and the collapse of Bruno Labbadia’s proposed appointment.

Chelle inherits a team desperate for redemption on the world stage. Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign has been tumultuous, with the Super Eagles failing to secure a win in their first four matches. Currently sitting fifth in their group—alongside Benin Republic, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Rwanda—Nigeria faces an uphill battle to secure a ticket to the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The qualifiers resume in March 2025, with high-stakes matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The team’s last encounter with Rwanda ended in a shock 2-1 defeat during the AFCON qualifiers in Uyo, adding pressure to Chelle’s debut.

Simon, a veteran with over 70 caps and three AFCON tournaments under his belt, will be instrumental in Chelle’s plans. The Super Eagles last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2018, and another missed opportunity would be a significant blow to Nigerian football.

Having previously worked under coaches like Gernot Rohr, José Peseiro, and Eguavoen, Simon’s leadership and experience will be vital as Chelle seeks to rejuvenate the team. Nigeria’s AFCON qualifying success under Eguavoen shows the squad’s potential, but translating that into World Cup qualification is the challenge ahead.

As Simon leads the welcome for the new coach, the Super Eagles and their fans will hope that Chelle’s arrival marks the start of a much-needed turnaround.