Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, says his journey with the Super Eagles has become more than just a professional assignment—it’s now something deeply personal. The 47-year-old tactician describes his bond with the country as part of his identity, insisting that Nigeria has become “a part of his DNA.”
Since his appointment in March 2025, Chelle has overseen a remarkable transformation of the team. Under his leadership, the Super Eagles have recorded four wins and two draws in six matches, securing 14 points out of a possible 18 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 African qualifiers. This run of form marks a complete turnaround from the team’s earlier struggles, as they had only two points before his arrival.
Chelle, who previously guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, told CAF that coaching Nigeria carries deep emotional significance.
“As I often say, it’s my DNA,” Chelle said. “Looking back on my career, this goes beyond football. Coming to coach in Africa, taking that step, it’s more than sport. I use football to carry a message that everyone can live together. It’s not about origin or religion; it’s about respect for the individual.”
He acknowledged that his appointment as a Malian leading Nigeria drew attention, but his focus remains on delivering results with humility and respect. “Yes, it made waves that a Malian is in charge of Nigeria, but I’m simply trying to do my job with humility and respect. I arrived as someone who is 50 per cent Malian, 50 per cent French. But today I am in Nigeria; I consider myself Nigerian and I’m ready to give everything for this team and country.”
For Chelle, managing one of the most successful football nations in Africa is both an honour and a heavy responsibility. He admitted that the position feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It’s something huge. Nigeria is a massive team, arguably the best in Africa in sporting terms and aura, in many respects. For me, it’s a great source of pride. As I’ve often said, it feels like a World Cup for me. It’s an iconic national side. It resonates even more because I was genuinely a supporter of this team. I remember the 1998 World Cup in France, they had a fantastic side. I even bought Nigeria shirts. For me, it’s a deep pride, beyond words.”
Under his guidance, the Super Eagles have regained their sharpness, blending tactical structure with renewed mental strength. The players have embraced his philosophy of unity, respect, and hard work—qualities Chelle believes are vital to sustaining Nigeria’s momentum heading into major tournaments.
With both the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup play-offs on the horizon, Chelle’s ambitions are clear. “Of course we want to win it. Personally, I want to win AFCON. My first AFCON was a fantastic experience. I think Morocco will be a great tournament, too. The players feel the same. Since March we’ve played every match under pressure. When we set foot in Morocco, that pressure will be familiar. We’ll be ready mentally and in our collective mindset. If we arrive on the back of play-off success, stopping us will be difficult. But there are big teams: Morocco are favourites, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire — nations in top form. Our strength is that the players have suffered, then found a way through. That can really hurt opponents.”
When asked what headline he dreams of seeing after the next AFCON, Chelle didn’t hesitate: “Nigeria, champions of Africa.”
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