Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has taken decisive action following Nigeria's heartbreaking elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, dropping three players from the national team squad as attention turns to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
World Cup Dreams Shattered in Rabat
The Nigerian national team suffered a devastating 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo after playing to a 1-1 draw at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday, November 16. The loss marks Nigeria's second consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup, leaving fans and players devastated.
Nigeria started brightly with Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka giving the Super Eagles an early lead in the 3rd minute after his shot took a deflection into the net. However, the advantage was short-lived as Meshack Elia equalized for DR Congo in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on a misplaced pass from Fulham winger Alex Iwobi.
The match took another negative turn for Nigeria when star striker Victor Osimhen suffered an injury at the end of the first half, forcing him to miss the entire second period. Without their main attacking threat, the Super Eagles struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the second half.
Dramatic Extra Time and Controversial Shootout
The match extended into extra time where DR Congo came close to securing victory on two occasions. Their first potential winning goal was denied by the Video Assistant Referee, while goalkeeper Nwabali made a crucial save to stop Chancel Mbemba's header from finding the net.
The penalty shootout proved particularly controversial, with Coach Eric Chelle accusing a member of the DR Congo technical team of using 'voodoo' during the spot kicks. Nigeria's failure to convert three of their penalty attempts ultimately cost them a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Chelle's Drastic Squad Overhaul Begins
In response to the disappointing performance, Coach Eric Chelle has immediately begun restructuring his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for December. According to reports from OwnGoal, the 48-year-old coach has dropped three players from his plans following their unimpressive displays during the World Cup playoffs.
The axed players include Tolu Arokodare and Olakunle Olusegun, with one additional player reportedly shown the exit. Meanwhile, Chelle is planning to introduce fresh talent to the squad, with Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, FC Volendam midfielder Gibson Yah, and Pisa FC's Ebenezer Akinsamiro expected to receive call-ups.
Nigeria will also welcome back Terem Moffi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, both of whom missed the World Cup playoffs due to injuries sustained at their respective clubs.
Pressure Mounts for AFCON Success
The Nigeria Football Federation has reportedly issued a clear ultimatum to Coach Chelle: reach the final of the 2025 AFCON or face dismissal. This pressure comes despite Chelle leading Nigeria to a respectable second-place finish behind South Africa in their CAF qualification group, accumulating 17 points during the campaign.
President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the team's effort, commending the Super Eagles for their spirited performance in the qualifiers while emphasizing the need to focus on the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
As Nigerian football fans process the World Cup disappointment, all eyes now turn to how Eric Chelle will rebuild the Super Eagles squad and prepare them for continental glory in Morocco next year.
