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By Joe Apu
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has expressed strong confidence that the Super Eagles are on course for sustained success under the current technical crew led by Franco-Malian coach Éric Chelle.
Gusau said the senior men’s national team has effectively turned the corner following its third-place finish at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a recovery from the disappointment of missing two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.
According to the NFF president, the Super Eagles’ performance at the AFCON demonstrated renewed belief, resilience and tactical stability, suggesting the team is now close to “running on auto-pilot.”
“Our target was to win the AFCON, and while we finished with bronze, the manner of our performance gives us great joy,” Gusau said. “The players showed character, patriotism and resilience throughout the tournament.”
He praised the Federal Government for its continued backing of the national team, acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Sports Commission as instrumental to the team’s progress.
Gusau also commended Chelle, who took charge in January last year during a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign. Since then, the 48-year-old tactician has overseen 18 competitive matches without defeat in regulation time, steering Nigeria from a seemingly hopeless position to a World Cup playoff spot and a ninth AFCON bronze medal.
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“The NFF is proud of the team’s campaign and will continue to support and motivate the players and technical crew,” Gusau said. “Coach Chelle has shown enormous capacity within a short period, and we will continue to work with him.”
Under Chelle’s guidance, Nigeria recorded its highest-ever goal tally at a single AFCON, scoring 14 goals and remaining unbeaten in regulation time across seven matches. The Super Eagles also impressed against continental heavyweights including Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, while recording emphatic victories over Tanzania and Uganda.
Historically, Nigeria scored eight goals en route to its first AFCON title in 1980, nine goals in the 1994 triumph, and 11 goals when lifting the trophy in 2013 — making the recent tally a significant milestone.
Gusau added that preparations for the next AFCON will begin immediately, stressing that the team must build on current momentum despite missing several key players to injury during the tournament.
“The future looks very bright,” he said.
Nigeria’s latest podium finish means the Super Eagles have now won medals in 17 of their 21 AFCON appearances, failing to reach the podium only in 1963, 1982, 2008 and 2021.
