Gernot Rohr, the seasoned German football coach, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Eric Sékou Chelle on his recent appointment as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Nevertheless, Rohr warned that Chelle is confronted with a significant challenge in achieving the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Having previously guided the Super Eagles to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Rohr is well aware of the difficulties associated with coaching Nigeria.
In an interview with The Nation, the 71-year-old expressed his best wishes to Chelle while emphasizing the formidable task that lies ahead.
“Certainly, I recognize that Eric Sékou Chelle is now with Nigeria, and I wish him the best of luck,” Rohr stated.
“Qualifying for the World Cup will undoubtedly be a tough endeavor for Chelle. However, it is still within the realm of possibility.”
The Super Eagles currently find themselves in a precarious situation in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

With only three points from four matches in Group C, they occupy the fifth position, trailing South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, each with seven points, and Lesotho with five points, while ahead of Zimbabwe, who have secured just one point.
Chelle, a Franco-Malian coach, is charged with steering the team through this challenging landscape.
At 47 years of age, he brings a wealth of experience from managing lower-division French clubs such as Athlético Marseille, Martigues, and Boulogne-sur-Mer, in addition to his roles with Mali and Algeria’s Mouloudia Club d’Oran.
Despite his background, some critics have raised concerns regarding his fitness for such a demanding position.
For Chelle, the immediate priority is to rejuvenate the Super Eagles’ World Cup aspirations.
Although the path ahead is steep, he is resolute in his commitment to meet the challenge and restore Nigeria’s footballing reputation on the international stage.