Nigeria’s Super Eagles B suffered a humiliating early exit from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), raising serious questions over head coach Eric Chelle’s tactical prowess to lead the national team through a decisive phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 47-year-old Franco-Malian tactician saw his side crash out after a 4-0 defeat to Sudan in their second Group D match, just a week after a 1-0 loss to defending champions Senegal. The back-to-back defeats sealed Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament.
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Chelle has faced criticism for allegedly selecting the bulk of his CHAN squad from Remo Stars, overlooking several proven talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The heavy defeat has mounted pressure, with fans and pundits questioning whether he is the right man to guide the Super Eagles in the crucial months ahead.
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Nigeria’s Qualification Standing
Nigeria sits fourth in Group C with seven points, six behind leaders South Africa. Rwanda and Benin are level on eight points in second and third, respectively. Only the group winner will qualify automatically for the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The Super Eagles host Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 before welcoming South Africa in a must-win clash on September 9. In October, they travel to Lesotho and then host Benin.
Since taking charge, Chelle has overseen two qualifiers, earning four points from a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali and a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe. Much of the damage to Nigeria’s qualification hopes, however, occurred before his tenure.
With just four games left and a six-point gap to close, the pressure is mounting on Chelle and his squad to deliver or risk Nigeria missing the World Cup. Calls for his dismissal are growing, with some fans suggesting that the Nigeria Football Federation prepare for plan B for the Super Eagles.
