'I know Eric Chelle' - Rohr warns Super Eagles coach he faces uphill battle to lead Nigeria to World Cup

Gernot Rohr, the experienced German football coach, has sent his best wishes to Eric Sékou Chelle on his appointment as the head coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles. 

However, Rohr cautioned that Chelle faces a daunting task in securing the team’s qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Rohr, who led the Super Eagles to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is well-acquainted with the challenges of coaching Nigeria. 

Speaking to The Nation, the 71-year-old congratulated Chelle but highlighted the uphill battle that awaits him.

"Of course, I know Eric Sékou Chelle is now with Nigeria and good luck to him,” Rohr remarked. 

“It’s not going to be easy (for Chelle) to qualify for the World Cup of course. But of course, everything is still possible.”

The Super Eagles are currently in a precarious position in their World Cup qualifying campaign. 

With just three points from four games in Group C, they sit in fifth place, behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin with seven points each, Lesotho with five points, and ahead of Zimbabwe, who have one point.

Chelle, a Franco-Malian coach, is tasked with navigating this challenging situation. 

At 47 years old, he brings experience from managing lower-division French clubs such as Athlético Marseille, Martigues, and Boulogne-sur-Mer, along with stints at Mali and Algeria's Mouloudia Club d’Oran. 

Despite his experience, critics have questioned his suitability for such a high-pressure role.

For Chelle, the immediate focus remains on revitalizing the Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign. 

While the road ahead is steep, he is determined to rise to the challenge and restore Nigeria’s footballing pride on the global stage.

Wale Adejumo

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