I See Myself As Naija Pikin – Chelle

Nigeria head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, don talk say leading di Super Eagles don turn personal mission for am, as e describe im connection to Nigeria as part of im “DNA.” Since Chelle take charge of di national team for March 2025, di Super Eagles don bounce back strong with four wins and two draws from six matches, collecting 14 points from possible 18 for di FIFA World Cup 2026 African qualifiers. Before im appointment, di team don only get two points, but Chelle don ginger dem with better form. Di former Mali coach, wey guide im home country reach quarter-final for di last AFCON, tell CAF say im work with Nigeria no be just about football. “As I dey always talk, na my DNA. Dis one pass sport. I dey use football carry message say everybody fit live together no matter origin or religion. I come here 50% Malian, 50% French, but today I don see myself as Nigerian and I dey ready give everything for di team and di country,” e talk.

Di 47-year-old coach talk say managing one of Africa biggest football nation na both honour and responsibility. “Na big thing to coach Nigeria. Dis team na one of di best for Africa and e dey make me proud. I even support dem during 1998 World Cup, I buy di jersey sef,” Chelle yarn. Under im control, di Super Eagles don show new fire, better teamwork, and mental strength wey reflect Chelle’s people-first philosophy. As AFCON and World Cup play-offs dey near, Chelle talk say di team go enter with confidence and hunger to win. “Of course we wan win am. My first AFCON na great experience, and for Morocco we go ready both mentally and physically. We don suffer but we don learn how to fight back,” e talk. When dem ask am wetin headline e wan see after AFCON, Chelle smile talk: “Nigeria, champions of Africa.”