Can Eric Chelle rescue Eagles world cup bid?

 It's no longer  news that the super eagles world cup qualifying campaign is now in a precarious state.


After recording disappointing results in the world cup qualifiers under the tutelage of former super eagles coach Finidi George and Joseph Pesero ,Malian tactician Eric Chelle was appointed as the head coach of the nation's senior national team to salvage Nigeria world cup qualifying bid


An appointment that created mix reaction among some ex+Nigeria internationals especially the super eagles class of 1994.


While some of them welcome the appointment of the Malian coach, some of them described the hiring of Eric Chelle as a slap on the face of Nigeria indigenous coaches with the view that our local coaches would have done better on the job


However,in Eric Chelle first assignment as head coach of the super eagles ,he led the three times African champion to secure 2-0 away victory over Rwanda in Kigali following a brace from super eagles talismanic striker Victor Oshimen.

This victory did not only put smiles on the faces of Nigeria football fans, but also rekindled their  hope that  the Super eagles would qualify for the world .


The win also made Nigerians to have confidence in the technical ability of  Eric Chelle as Eagles coach since he was able to guard the senior national team to secure their first win in the world cup qualifiers, after recording disappointing results in the previous matches in the  race to pick the world cup ticket

Subsequently, in the match against the warriors of Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio international stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibok state ,the eagles and their home fans at the stands  were shocked below their belt as the visitors forced the home side to a disappointing one all draw in a match Nigeria was on the verge of securing the maximum three points before the equalizer.

Eagles goal poacher Victor Oshimen has given Nigeria the lead earlier in the second half before the Zimbabweans equalized on the stroke of 90minutes , leaving the home fans devastated and disappointed.


Sadly though, the Super eagles team B dismal outing at the CHAN tournament where the country crashed out in the group stage after winning a single match against Congo has  further dented his coaching credentials and put doubts in the minds of the nation's soccer fans on his capability to secure the world cup ticket

Realistically,  the world cup qualifying tie against Rwanda and South Africa will offer the Malian coach the opportunity to redeem his battered  image and prove pundits wrong if he  guards the team to victory in the two legged ties

Presently, the Super eagles now risked missing the 2026 world cup as they are  fourth on the log and six points behind table toppers South Africa who have a brighter chance of qualifying for the world cup


Hence , the Super eagles under Eric Chelle must win the remaining four world cup qualifying matches on the card  and pray South Africa slip along the line .


Secondly, Nigerians  are also hopeful that world football governing body FIFA will deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an  ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in their match against Lesotho.

A scenario that played out during the 2018 world cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Algeria  where FIFA deducted three points from Super eagles for fielding an ineligible player Shehu Abdullahi in the encounter 


Still , Nigeria manage to qualify for the 2018 world cup in Russia having amassed unassailable points


Should  South Africa suffer point deduction and super eagles are able to win the remaining four games especially the tie against Rwanda and the rainbow nation next month, then Nigeria should have well book the ticket to the 2026 world cup billed to take place in  United States of America, Canada and Mexico

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