Eguavoen Issues Caution to Chelle: “The Stakes Are Higher with Nigeria
Former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence in Eric Sekhou Chelle’s ability to succeed as Nigeria’s new head coach, while also sending a word of caution about the higher stakes that come with managing one of Africa’s most prominent teams.
Eguavoen, who guided the Super Eagles to secure a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament during his interim role, had been reportedly interested in taking the position on a full-time basis. However, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) opted for Chelle, the former Mali national team coach, to take the helm.
Chelle is set to make his debut as Nigeria’s coach next week when the Super Eagles face Rwanda in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
In a recent interview, Eguavoen shared his thoughts on Chelle’s appointment, emphasizing the importance of providing the new coach with the necessary support. “At the senior team level, you need to give the coach all the support you can,” Eguavoen said. “He will make his decisions, and we won’t interfere. If you do, you are stepping on his toes, and in the end, results are what matter. He will be held accountable for both the successes and failures.”
While acknowledging Chelle’s abilities as a coach, Eguavoen warned that managing the Super Eagles would be a different challenge compared to his previous role with Mali. “Mali isn’t Nigeria. We have more talent than the Malian team,” Eguavoen pointed out. “As a person, he’s a wonderful guy. As a coach, he’s good, but the stakes here are much higher.”
Despite the challenges, Eguavoen reiterated that the NFF would work closely with Chelle to provide all the necessary resources and ensure he has the freedom to make key decisions for the team.
With Nigeria currently sitting in second place in their World Cup qualifying group, four points behind leaders Rwanda, the pressure is mounting for Chelle. A victory over Rwanda and Zimbabwe would put the Super Eagles in a more comfortable position, but the road to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains a tough one.
Eguavoen concluded, “We’ll work closely with him, provide him with all the resources he needs, and give him the freedom to make his own decisions. But the reality is that Nigeria needs to win every game to secure a spot in the World Cup.”
As Nigeria’s World Cup hopes rest in Chelle’s hands, the next few matches will be critical for the Super Eagles’ quest to reach the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
