Nigerian national team: Coach Eric Chelle's future is still unknown! | OneFootball

After missing out on World Cup qualification, will the coach leave?

Nigerian national team: Coach Eric Chelle's future is still unknown!

The final whistle not only signaled a defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo but also marked the shattering of Nigeria's 2026 World Cup dream. This pivotal loss has cast a harsh and unforgiving spotlight on the troubled tenure of Eric Chelle.

When Chelle took the helm in January 2025, he was tasked with steering the Super Eagles—a squad brimming with elite talent—back to stable ground. Yet, the path has been fraught with challenges. Despite a record that shows just one defeat in eleven outings, his reign has been perceived as underwhelming. To the Nigerian faithful, a series of draws felt like losses, and the one match that truly mattered ended in the worst possible way.

Public sentiment, never fully in his favor, has now likely reached a point of no return. For a footballing nation like Nigeria, accustomed to the global stage, this World Cup elimination is more than a setback; it is a profound failure. Consequently, this single, costly defeat appears to be the final chapter in a project that never truly found its wings, potentially sealing the fate of the Malian coach.