Eric Sékou Chelle has promised to reinstate the Super Eagles’ reputation as a high-scoring team, a declaration bound to excite Nigerian fans and star forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Malian tactician made this vow during his unveiling as the 37th head coach of Nigeria’s national team at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
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Chelle, 47, emphasised his commitment to building an attacking philosophy that would yield plenty of goals.
“I love scoring goals. My teams are never lacking in goals, and the Super Eagles will be no exception – we will score goals,” Chelle said during the event.
This philosophy aligns perfectly with the wealth of attacking talent available to Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen, the nation’s second-highest goalscorer with 23 goals in 39 appearances, has been in scintillating form for Galatasaray this season, registering 10 goals and four assists in just 13 league matches.
Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman, crowned CAF African Footballer of the Year in December, has continued to shine for Atalanta, netting eight goals in 27 international appearances since his 2022 debut.
Chelle, who takes on a supervisory role for the home-based Super Eagles preparing for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), is no stranger to building attacking teams.
During his tenure as Mali’s head coach, his side scored over 40 goals in 22 matches, winning 14, drawing five, and losing just three.
Under his leadership, Mali reached the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals, defeating South Africa and Burkina Faso before narrowly losing to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in extra time.
Beyond CHAN, Chelle’s immediate challenge is reviving Nigeria’s faltering 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in their group, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho, with only the group winners advancing to the tournament.
Chelle’s coaching staff includes assistant Hadi Taboubi, physical trainer Thomas Gornourec, and goalkeeper coach Jean Daniel Padovani.
Having managed Algerian side MC Oran and lower-league French clubs, Chelle now faces the task of restoring Nigeria’s footballing glory on both continental and global stages.
