If God Gives Me The Chance To Be The Coach After This Tournament, I’ve To Bring Some Players–Chelle

Following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Daily Post published a piece on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in which Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle outlined his vision for the Nigerian national team, subject to the Nigeria Football Federation's decision about whether to keep him in his position. 

Before Nigeria's third-place playoff against Egypt, Chelle spoke with the press about his ideas. 

Since his appointment in January 2025, he has considered his time with the squad and stated his goals for the future should he be given the chance to stay on after the competition. 

With Chelle in charge, Nigeria advanced to the semifinals, where they displayed a disciplined game that made them a contender for the championship. 

Their pursuit of the trophy came to an end, sadly, with a loss to Morocco, the host country, which put them in the third-place match. 

Despite this setback, Chelle complimented his players on their tenacity and strategic improvement over the course of the tournament. 

The team's depth and general preparedness will be put to the test once again in the next game against Egypt. 

Chele stressed that if he stays in his position, he plans to inject fresh talent into the national team in order to rejuvenate it. 

He wants to improve the squad by balancing experienced players with promising young talents and diversifying the player pool. 

Particularly in today's football environment, where intensity and strategies are constantly evolving, Chelle emphasized the need for continuous assessment and reform in order to create a successful national team. 

He seems dedicated to long-term growth, as opposed to just depending on a set roster. 

These assertions are made at a period when football stakeholders are paying more attention to the Super Eagles' future course. 

The Nigeria Football Federation's plan to inject novel concepts into the national team included Chelle's prior appointment. 

He has emphasized organization, discipline, and flexibility since assuming the position—characteristics that were clear throughout Nigeria's semi-final run. 

Despite the defeat against Morocco, which revealed areas that needed improvement, spectators observed that the team's organizational structure reflected his coaching style. 

"If God gives me the chance to be the coach after this tournament, I need to bring in some players," Chelle said in conclusion.