Benedict Akwuegbu: Eric Chelle Is Restoring Super Eagles’ Fear Factor With Just Two Defeats in 25 Matches

Former Super Eagles striker Benedict Akwuegbu has lauded Eric Chelle for the measurable progress made under the French-Malian coach’s tenure, arguing that Nigeria is gradually recapturing the competitive identity that once made the team one of Africa’s most feared sides.

Speaking from his base in the United Kingdom, Akwuegbu told Complete Sports that Chelle’s record speaks for itself. “To lose only two games in 25 matches shows that Chelle is doing something right. He is rebuilding the team and gradually bringing back the confidence and fear factor that the Super Eagles once had,” the former striker said.

Akwuegbu was equally emphatic about the broader significance of those numbers. “That is an excellent record for any national team coach,” he added, underlining his view that the statistics reflect a structured and deliberate rebuilding process under Chelle’s leadership.

Since assuming charge of the Super Eagles, Chelle has overseen 25 matches across all competitions — excluding CHAN fixtures — suffering only two defeats. The first came in a 2-1 friendly loss to Egypt in December 2025, while the second was a recent 2-1 defeat to Portugal. That level of consistency places Nigeria among the better-performing national teams in terms of results during the same period.

Akwuegbu also highlighted Chelle’s approach to squad construction as a defining feature of the current regime. The coach’s willingness to integrate young players and talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has been noted as a signal of long-term thinking, with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations identified as a key target for the team. Blending domestic-based players with foreign-based professionals has been a recurring discussion point in Nigerian football, and Chelle’s approach appears to be shifting that conversation in a more inclusive direction.

The Super Eagles are currently preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Nigeria having secured qualification. Their recent fixture against Portugal — a 2-1 defeat — was widely regarded as a competitive display against one of Europe’s elite nations, drawing praise from multiple quarters, including Portugal’s own coaching staff. Despite the result, the performance reinforced a growing sense that Chelle’s system is taking shape ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, and the pressure to end that drought has intensified with each successive tournament. The Super Eagles reached the AFCON 2023 final in Ivory Coast before losing to the host nation, a result that heightened expectations around Victor Osimhen’s generation of players. Akwuegbu’s comments reflect a wider optimism that, under Chelle, the current squad has the structure and mentality to compete at the highest level.

With AFCON 2027 set to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, Nigeria will be expected to mount a serious challenge for the title. Chelle’s record since taking charge suggests the groundwork is being laid, though sustained results at a major tournament will ultimately define the success of his tenure.