Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has issued a powerful endorsement of head coach Eric Chelle, declaring that the Malian tactician has fundamentally transformed the Nigerian national team. This strong vote of confidence comes at a critical juncture, as Nigeria's seemingly dashed hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been unexpectedly revived.
Onyeka's Ringing Endorsement of Chelle's Philosophy
In an interview with the BBC, the 27-year-old Brentford star did not hold back in his praise for the coach. Onyeka, who has experienced several managerial tenures with the national team, stated that Chelle's arrival marked a significant turning point.
"I think he came in and changed everything, the way we played, the way we've been set up, and his philosophy is just really good," Onyeka revealed. He emphasized that Chelle's impact extended beyond mere tactics, highlighting the coach's exceptional relationship with the players.
The midfielder credited Chelle's calm and playful communication style for easing tensions within the squad after a period of difficulty. This human touch, combined with a clear tactical direction, has reportedly restored belief and unity among the Super Eagles players.
A World Cup Lifeline from FIFA Petition
Onyeka's comments arrive alongside a dramatic development in Nigeria's World Cup qualification saga. Initially, the dream appeared over after the Super Eagles lost a playoff to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal petition with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded multiple ineligible players during that decisive match. Reports, including those from Yahoo Sports, suggest the ineligibility stems from players who may not have completed the proper process for switching nationality, or who breached age or passport regulations.
While FIFA has not yet made a ruling, the potential for sanctions against DR Congo has injected fresh hope. If the allegations are upheld, Nigeria's path to the 2026 World Cup could be reopened, rewriting the narrative of their qualifying campaign.
Chelle's Tenure and Immediate AFCON Focus
Eric Chelle was appointed in January 2025 following a turbulent period where Nigeria cycled through three managers. His early tenure showed promise, with the team winning the Unity Cup in May and going unbeaten in their final six World Cup qualifying matches, adopting a more aggressive style.
Despite the ongoing World Cup speculation, the immediate focus for Chelle and his squad is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The team recently suffered a narrow 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt in Cairo on Tuesday, marking Chelle's first loss in regulation time since taking charge.
The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. They will begin their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23, continuing their preparations with the tournament as the primary objective.
In a related development, DR Congo's director of football, Herita Ilunga, has reacted to the NFF's petition. Nigeria's football body is seeking the expulsion of the Central African nation from the World Cup qualifiers over the eligibility scandal.
