Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle apologizes to Nigerians for missing out on World Cup and AFCON 2025 disappointment

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has once again apologized to Nigerians over the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and their inability to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

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Speaking after leading the Super Eagles to a 3–0 victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final on Saturday evening, May 30, Chelle expressed regret over the missed opportunities.
 

“I want to once again say sorry we didn’t go to the World Cup. This is my feeling. Sorry we didn’t win the AFCON. I tried to do my job,” he said.
 

“I want to say thank you for all the support that was put into the team, and once again I will give everything to this national team. Football is football, and every day I try to improve as a man and as a coach. So I want to say thank you to this country.”

Chelle was appointed as Super Eagles head coach during the World Cup qualifiers but was unable to secure automatic qualification, with Nigeria losing the ticket to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

The team later reached the playoff stage but lost to DR Congo on penalties in the final.
 

At the AFCON in Morocco, Chelle guided Nigeria to the semi-finals before also losing in a penalty shootout to Morocco. His next assignment will be the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to run from September to November 2026.
 

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group L alongside AFCON 2027 hosts Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar.