Eric Sekou Chelle, the new head coach of the Super Eagles, has traveled to England to meet with his players in the English Premier League.
Originally, Chelle was supposed to return to Abuja this week to finalize preparations for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
In the second division English Championship, Chelle will face players like Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest), Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey (Fulham), among others.
Hedi Taboubi, the Malian coach’s first assistant, is traveling to England with him.
“They will discuss with the players the Super Eagles’ strategy for these two qualifiers and the expectations for them on and off the field. “Erik is working quietly and with a clear direction.”
In two pivotal matches next month, the Super Eagles will host Rwanda’s Amavubi on March 21 and then welcome Zimbabwe to Uyo four days later. On the same seven points as South Africa and the Benin Republic, Rwanda leads Group C.
The Super Eagles are in fifth place with three points, while Lesotho is in fourth place with five points.
After four rounds of play, Zimbabwe has two points and is at the bottom of the standings. Nigeria’s Super Eagles need to win all six of their remaining games and hope that some of the top teams drop points in order to have any chance of overtaking the leaders and earning the only qualifying ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.