Ex-Everton skipper backs Nigeria’s Super Eagles to shine under Eric Chelle ahead of Rwanda, Zimbabwe

Former Everton FC captain Joseph Yobo has tipped the Super Eagles to turn their fortunes around in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers under new head coach Eric Chelle, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria have endured a turbulent qualification campaign so far, with the team yet to record a win after four matches.

The Super Eagles have drawn against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa before suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in June – a result that left their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

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The poor run of results has seen Nigeria slump to fifth in Group C with just three points, trailing joint leaders Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, while Lesotho sit fourth.

In a bid to arrest the slide, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed former Mali boss Chelle as the new Super Eagles head coach – the first time in history that an African coach outside Nigeria will take charge of the national team.

Chelle’s appointment has sparked mixed reactions, with many expecting the NFF to opt for a European manager.

However, the 46-year-old has wasted little time in getting to work, holding talks with senior players while keeping tabs on the country's youth teams, including the Flying Eagles and CHAN Eagles.

Head coach Éric Chelle and first assistant Hedi Taboubi visited some Super Eagles players ahead of the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers. #RoadToWorldCup2026 #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/fvHm1woBd7

— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) February 8, 2025

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Several key Super Eagles stars, including reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen, have already declared their support for Chelle and vowed to give their best to help Nigeria secure a World Cup ticket.

Yobo, who represented Nigeria at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, believes the players will rise to the challenge when they face Rwanda and Zimbabwe next month.

The former Nigeria captain, who also served as an assistant coach under former boss Gernot Rohr, has urged Nigerians to rally behind Chelle as he begins his tenure.

“There’s a new coach for the Super Eagles (Eric Chelle) and I expect the players to be on top of their game to prove to him they are good enough to play for Nigeria,” Yobo said, via ScoreNigeria.

“This is what often happens in clubs with new coaches. So, I expect the Super Eagles to be at their best.

“He has been appointed as the Super Eagles coach and we should give him maximum support.

“As former coach of Mali, he has the experience and knowledge of African football and we will be playing against African teams, not England.”

Chelle is expected to name his first squad in March ahead of the crucial qualifiers, with Nigeria set to face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.

However, the new coach could be without some key players, with Semi Ajayi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and captain William Troost-Ekong all battling injuries.

Ademola Lookman (5 goals in 2024/25) has matched the records of Obafemi Martins (5 goals in 2004/05) and Victor Osimhen (5 goals in 2022/23) for the most goals scored by a Nigerian in a single UEFA Champions League campaign pic.twitter.com/lfNHBllLNv

— 49th. (@the49thstreet) February 26, 2025

Despite the injury concerns, the Super Eagles still boast an array of attacking talents, with Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface among the most in-form forwards in Europe this season.

With the weight of a nation resting on their shoulders, Yobo remains confident that the players will rise to the occasion and breathe new life into Nigeria's World Cup qualification hopes under Chelle's leadership.