GUSAU EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN SUPER EAGLES’ FUTURE UNDER ERIC CHELLE
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has expressed strong confidence that the Super Eagles are well positioned for sustained success under head coach Eric Chelle.
Speaking after Nigeria secured third place at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Gusau praised the team’s performance, noting their resilience and renewed fighting spirit following the disappointment of missing two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.
“Our goal was to win the AFCON and become champions of Africa. Although we finished third, what gives me joy is the manner in which the team played—with passion, patriotic spirit, resilience and character,” Gusau said. He also acknowledged the continued support of the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward the development of football in Nigeria.
Chelle, who assumed leadership of the Super Eagles in January 2025, has overseen an impressive run of 17 competitive matches without defeat, recording 11 wins and six draws. At the AFCON in Morocco, Nigeria scored a record-breaking 14 goals and remained unbeaten in regulation time across seven matches.
The Super Eagles delivered standout performances against top African sides including Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, while also recording victories over Tanzania and Uganda. Nigeria’s bronze medal finish in Casablanca marked the nation’s 17th podium appearance in 21 AFCON tournaments.
Gusau lauded Chelle’s impact, describing the coach as having shown “enormous capacity” in his first year in charge. He added that preparations for the next AFCON, to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, would commence immediately in March.
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“The future looks very bright,” Gusau said, noting that several key players missed the Morocco tournament due to injuries but are expected to return ahead of upcoming competitions.
Nigeria has previously won the AFCON title in 1980, 1994 and 2013, scoring 8, 9 and 11 goals respectively. The 14 goals scored in Morocco represent the highest tally by the Super Eagles in the tournament’s history.
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