Chelle was appointed in January as the 37th head coach of the Super Eagles on a two-year deal with an option for an additional year if he qualified Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, soccernet.ng, quoting England-based journalist, Osasu Obayuwana, reported yesterday that uncertainty over his long-term position has reportedly left Chelle reconsidering his role.
The report said that the NFF has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. But NFF’s Media Director, Ademola Olajire, dismissed the report as a figment of the writer’s imagination, saying that the federation is working in concert with Chelle to find a way of getting the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup.
“That story must be the biggest joke of the year. I don’t know where the writer got the story. He could be playing pranks on April Fool’s Day, but there is no truth in it,” Olajire said.
Chelle has overseen just two matches since his appointment, guiding Nigeria to a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali before a frustrating 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in Uyo.
The coach is currently in Europe, scouting Nigerian players and attempting to persuade dual-national youngsters to commit to the Super Eagles. One of his main targets is Arsenal starlet, Ethan Nwaneri.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who has impressed under Mikel Arteta, remains eligible for both Nigeria and England. While he has represented England at youth level, he has not yet pledged allegiance to the senior team, leaving the door open for a potential switch.
With the next round of World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September, Chelle is said to have already begun plans to reshape his squad. Nigeria will host Rwanda in Uyo before making the trip to South Africa to tackle the Bafana Bafana in what could potentially be a make-or-mar affair.
Ahead of the game, Soccernet.ng also reports that Chelle has underlined the Super Eagles’ determination to defeat South Africa in September.
Chelle is convinced that victory against the Bafana Bafana is non-negotiable if the Super Eagles are to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Super Eagles find themselves in a precarious position in Group C, trailing leaders South Africa by six points with just four matches remaining in the qualification campaign.
Bafana Bafana currently sit atop the group with 13 points after six games, having strengthened their position with back-to-back wins over Lesotho and Benin Republic in March.
Nigeria, meanwhile, managed a crucial 2-0 away victory against Rwanda but were left frustrated after a 1-1 home draw with Zimbabwe. Those results have put added pressure on Chelle’s side to secure maximum points in their upcoming fixtures—first at home to Rwanda in Uyo, before a decisive showdown against South Africa away.
While Chelle remains focused on the immediate task against Rwanda, he is fully aware of the significance of the South Africa clash.“It’s an obligation we win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo,” Chelle told SCORENigeria.
“South Africa are a good side, but for that game, we cannot afford to allow them to play. But first, we have to beat Rwanda at home and then we will focus on the game in South Africa.”
The Super Eagles have a history of intense battles with Bafana Bafana. In their most recent encounter in June 2024, Nigeria fought back to secure a 1-1 draw in Uyo thanks to a well-taken equaliser by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The two teams also met in the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria emerged victorious via penalties after a tense contest. While South Africa finished third in the tournament, Nigeria had to settle for silver after losing the final to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
Chelle, however, has personal experience of defeating South Africa. As Mali’s head coach at AFCON 2023, he led his team to a dominant 2-0 group-stage victory over Bafana Bafana, controlling the match from start to finish.
Now, he will be looking to replicate that success with the Super Eagles as they aim to keep their World Cup dream alive. Despite Nigeria’s current struggles in the qualifiers, history favours the Super Eagles in this fixture. In 16 previous meetings, Nigeria have won eight times, while South Africa have managed just two victories. Six encounters have ended in draws, including the last meeting in Uyo.
However, past records will count for little when the two sides meet in September. With South Africa enjoying home advantage and Nigeria needing a result, the clash is set to be a high-stakes affair that could define both teams’ World Cup ambitions.
