Chelle: Winning World Cup Playoffs Will Boost Nigeria’s AFCON Chances

Chelle: Winning World Cup Playoffs Will Boost Nigeria’s AFCON Chances

By Niyi Busari 

 Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said that Nigeria’s ambitions to reclaim continental glory at the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hinge largely on success in the upcoming World Cup playoff matches, BSNSports.com.ng reports 

Speaking to CAF Online, Chelle stressed the importance of approaching each playoff match with maximum focus, insisting that strong performances in the FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs would give Nigeria the confidence and momentum needed for a deep run at the AFCON.

 “Before AFCON, there’s a crucial target, the World Cup playoffs,” Chelle said. “The goal is to win those matches. If we arrive on the back of playoff success, stopping us will be difficult.”

Nigeria Eyes Dual Qualification Success

The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon in their opening playoff fixture, with the winner advancing to meet either Cameroon or Congo in the next round. Chelle believes winning both ties would send a powerful signal to the rest of Africa and elevate the team’s confidence heading into the continental championship.

“If we can overcome Gabon and whoever we face next, it will be very difficult to stop Nigeria at AFCON,” the coach added. “Success breeds confidence, and that’s what we need going into the tournament.”

Playoff Lifeline and AFCON Ambition

Nigeria’s qualification for the CAF playoff stage came through a revised rule following Eritrea’s withdrawal, which allowed the Super Eagles to enter the mini-tournament as one of the best-ranked teams. The competition, set to be held in Morocco, will determine which nations advance to the final World Cup qualifying playoffs and potentially the global tournament itself.

The Super Eagles had been on the brink of missing out on World Cup contention but secured their place after a convincing 4–0 victory over Benin Republic under the new CAF regulations.

Chelle’s remarks reflect a broader determination within the camp to re-establish Nigeria as a dominant force in African football, both on the continental and global stages.