Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to return to Nigeria before the end of February to scout local talents in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as he continues preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Malian tactician, appointed in January 2025, has been on a European tour to meet with key Super Eagles players ahead of the crucial matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe next month.
Chelle’s European Tour and Key Player Meetings
Alongside his assistant Hedi Taboubi, Chelle has visited Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi in England and also held discussions with Nantes winger Moses Simon in France.
His next stop will involve monitoring more European-based players, after which he will shift focus to the NPFL, where he intends to identify top-performing domestic players who can contribute to the national team setup.
Nigeria’s Road to the World Cup
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, 2025, in a matchday five World Cup qualifier, before facing Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on March 25.
Chelle’s strategy of blending foreign-based stars with local NPFL talents could be pivotal as Nigeria aims to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
