Football

2026 WCQ: Super Eagles under pressure, but still alive — Chelle

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, says his players have been under intense pressure since the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but remain confident about their qualification chances after the 2–1 win over Lesotho on Friday.

The players had defeated Lesotho 2-1, having fielded a strong side with the return of the Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, and Saudi Pro League, Al-Kholood defender, William Troost-Ekong.

Speaking after the match, Chelle praised his team’s effort and acknowledged that the expectations of Nigerians have weighed heavily on the squad.

“Today we are happy because we won. We are still alive.

“Perhaps we have felt the pressure since March. Every time my players and I meet, they tell me they feel it, because for Nigeria, we need to go to the World Cup.

“There is a lot of pressure, and that’s the reality,” Chelle said.

He admitted that tension affected their first-half performance but commended the players for their composure and commitment.

“In the first half, because we were under pressure, technically, we missed some things. It’s not the same as regular football, but I am proud of my guys,” he added.

William Troost-Ekong echoed Chelle’s view, describing the encounter as difficult.

“I also want to start by saying that Lesotho played a great game, and we knew that from the start. I can understand the disappointment and frustration because they put up a very good fight.

“These kinds of games are never easy, and the Coach said that already. The pressure has been on us since March at the start of the Qualifiers,” he said.

He, however, said the team was looking forward to a great outing in 2026.

“Now, we just want to focus on ourselves. We want to be better always because we have a team of guys who want to be winners and want to be at the World Cup,” he added.

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