Nigeria had an embarrassing outing at the 2024 African Nations Championship, CHAN.
The home-based Super Eagles team lost their opening group 1-0 to Senegal, before they were thrashed 4-0 by minnows Sudan.
That effectively ended their chances of qualifying for the next round.
Ahead of the final group match against Congo, head coach of the Eagles Eric Chelle said, “mistakes have haunted us”.
Nigeria rounded off their tournament with a face-saving 2-0 victory, as they finished third in Group D behind Sudan and Senegal.
For some reason, Chelle decided to take charge of the squad for the tournament, when it was widely expected that his assistant coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, would take charge of the team.
At the end of it all, Chelle attracted more cynicism and criticism.
“In the eyes of Nigerian football fans, he certainly damaged his reputation, as he suffered back to back defeats when it mattered the most,” Ope Adebari, a sports analyst, reporter and producer with News Central tells DAILY POST.
“His decision to maintain the diamond formation was questionable as the team clearly struggled against their opponents.
“Also, knowing he would implement the diamond formation, the decision not to take any defensive midfielder was shocking.
“Eric Chelle has only succeeded in creating doubt and fear in Nigerians regarding our chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.”
On Friday, Chelle pruned down his provisional squad ahead of next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman are joined by first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali on the roster.
Adebari believes they will form the core of the squad that are expected to keep the Super Eagles’ dream of qualifying on track.
“There are players I refer to as ‘the spine’ of this current super eagles team. Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
“However, there are other players who would be aiming to contribute to the cause of securing World Cup qualification. Felix Agu, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers and Tolu Arokodare,” he said.
Nigeria go into these fixtures under pressure, sitting six points adrift of Group C leaders South Africa.
With just one automatic qualification spot up for grabs, Chelle’s men cannot afford any more slip-ups.
The stakes are particularly high given that the Super Eagles missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a painful playoff defeat to Ghana.
“They need a convincing win and clean sheet against Rwanda at the Uyo Township stadium to boost morale before going to war against Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein,” Adebari added.
