Chelle has no excuse not to qualify for 2026 World Cup – Okpalla

Former international, Sylvanus Okpalla, has stated that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, must do everything possible to ensure Nigeria qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles are still searching for their first win in the qualifiers and must turn their fortunes around to secure the only automatic qualification ticket from Group C.

Speaking to Brila FM, Okpalla insisted that Chelle has no room for excuses, emphasizing that the coach was hired to deliver results.

According to him: “He said he has been watching the boys, so there is nothing like new and coaches are used to it everywhere. The man from Liverpool just came and he’s trying to win the league for Liverpool. Mind you, that is his first time trying to claim the league title.

Read Also: Siasia seeks support for Eric Chelle ahead of World Cup qualifiers

“I am not saying it works always, but the idea of giving him a chance, no, there is no time for that. Once you take up a team, you are coming to change the situation, and there is no excuse. If he knows he can’t change the situation, why then was he brought in? He should have stayed in his country.”

With Nigeria in danger of missing out on the World Cup, the pressure is on Chelle to turn things around, starting with Friday’s crucial qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali.