Chelle: Super Eagles Won’t Give Up on World Cup Dream Despite Setback

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has assured Nigerians that his team will not give up on their dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a frustrating 1-1 draw with South Africa on Tuesday night in Bloemfontein.

The result leaves the three-time African champions stuck in third place in Group B, with 11 points from eight matches, six points adrift of leaders South Africa.

To keep their hopes alive, Nigeria must win their last two games — away to Lesotho and at home against the Squirrels of Benin Republic.

Chelle, however, remains optimistic:

“My players are professionals and I know they will still want to win the remaining two games. A lot can happen over the next one month. But before that, we will have to analyse our performance tonight, which will not be easy.”

Opinion: Can Belief Alone Carry the Super Eagles?

Chelle’s optimism is admirable, but Nigerian fans know too well that belief without execution has cost the team dearly in recent years. For a country with such a rich footballing heritage, sitting third in a qualifying group is more than disappointing — it’s a wake-up call.

The truth is, the Super Eagles no longer strike fear as they once did. Defensive lapses, inconsistency in attack, and an over-reliance on individual brilliance have made qualification harder than it should be.

Still, football has a way of rewarding resilience. If Chelle and his men can rediscover their bite, stay disciplined, and show hunger in the final two fixtures, the story may yet change. Nigerians are passionate, and they will always believe until the last whistle blows.

But belief must now translate into results — anything less, and a football-mad nation will once again watch the World Cup from the sidelines.