“Play like a gang” – Nigeria’s Olympic recordmaker urges Eric Chelle to unite Super Eagles for World Cup push

Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku has called on Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to forge a unified team rather than a collection of individuals as Nigeria prepares for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.

With just three points from their opening four matches, Nigeria faces a tough challenge in Group C, where Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin currently lead the race for the automatic qualification spot.

As the Super Eagles prepare to take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, Oparaku believes team cohesion will be key to reviving their campaign.

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The 48-year-old, who was key member of Nigeria’s Olympic gold medal winning team at the 1996 Atlanta Games – the first African team to win football gold, stressed the importance of playing with a collective mindset rather than relying on individual brilliance.

What has Oparaku asked of Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles?

“When they come out (next month), they should not come out as individuals playing for Nigeria, but they should come out as a team that is representing Nigeria,” Oparaku told Brila FM.

“There is a difference between a player that comes to represent the Super Eagles and a team of players that come out to represent Nigeria.

“When they come out as a team that represents the country, we can then talk about what they have, but not as individuals. But when we speak about individuals, it means we don’t have a team. I hope this new coach (Eric Sekou Chelle) will be able to pull the team together and play like a gang for the World Cup qualifiers.”

The Super Eagles will be keen to avenge their 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in Uyo during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

That match, played under interim boss Augustine Eguavoen, did not stop Nigeria from booking their place at the continental Championships billed for Morocco later in the year.

However, Chelle now has the task of reigniting Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes with a win over the stubborn Rwanda Wasps on matchday five.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria coach and his assistant Hedi Taboubi are reportedly in England to meet with key Premier League players, including Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, and Taiwo Awoniyi. Discussions will focus on tactical approaches and expectations for the crucial double-header next month.

Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.

With Rwanda leading the group on seven points, followed by South Africa and Benin on goal difference, Nigeria must secure maximum points to stay in the qualification race. Lesotho sit fourth with five points, while Zimbabwe trails at the bottom with two.