Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has praised head coach Eric Chelle for steering Nigeria back on track in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the Malian tactician’s impact as “brave, timely, and highly commendable.”
Nigeria’s qualifying campaign began in disappointing fashion, with the team failing to win any of their first four matches. The early slump raised fears among fans and analysts, who believed the Super Eagles might fall further behind in the World Cup race.
But everything changed when Chelle stepped into the role.
The former Mali coach has since injected structure, belief, and confidence into the squad, guiding Nigeria through a remarkable turnaround. Under him, the national team has gone unbeaten in seven matches, recording five wins and two draws to reach the final stage of the World Cup playoffs.
Adepoju: ‘He took the job when many wouldn’t’
Speaking after Nigeria’s emphatic 4–1 win over Gabon on Thursday, Adepoju told Sporty TV that Chelle deserves full credit for accepting the job during a turbulent period, and for transforming the mood around the national team.
“I think Chelle has done a great job. Considering the situation we were in when he was hired, not many coaches would have taken the job,” Adepoju said.
“He came in, took on the challenge, and is now pulling his weight, putting everything in the right perspective. We are seeing good performances from the Super Eagles. He deserves accolades and all our praise. He is really doing a great job.”
Chelle’s improvements have shown across multiple areas, from tactical adjustments to squad balance, with key players rediscovering form under his guidance. The team’s goal-scoring output has also improved significantly, and the players appear more cohesive on the pitch.
With the next hurdle now in sight, Nigeria will face DR Congo on Sunday in the final of the 2026 World Cup playoffs. A win would push the Super Eagles into the intercontinental playoff round, keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the tournament to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The stakes are enormous, but with Chelle’s momentum and the renewed confidence within the camp, optimism is growing once again.
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