Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Sets Sights on June Friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has outlined his plans for Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures, combining talent discovery with a push for global recognition.
Chelle confirmed that the Unity Cup will serve as a platform to assess new players, with scouting missions across Europe to identify footballers of Nigerian descent, including those previously called up but yet to feature.
He also pledged to monitor standout performers in the Nigeria Premier Football League until the end of the season.
For the high-profile warm-up matches in June against Poland and Portugal, Chelle stated that he will field his first-team players, describing the games as crucial opportunities to boost Nigeria’s FIFA ranking.
‘These are matches that can push us up the global ranking if we win them,’ he emphasized.
Since taking charge of the Super Eagles in January 2025, Chelle has revitalized the team’s image. He guided Nigeria to a 3rd-place finish at AFCON 2025, restored the team’s attractiveness on the continental stage, and nearly secured World Cup qualification from what had been a near-hopeless position.
Under his leadership, Nigeria have played 24 matches with an impressive points-per-match average of 2.04, underscoring his impact on the squad’s competitiveness.
