“The Super Eagles will press”

Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has revealed that coach Eric Chelle told him that he wants to play high-octane football that will see them press high to start early their opponents of the ball, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria will play Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Qualifiers later next week, and they will be looking to grab victories.

Super Eagles players (photo credit: Imago)
It will be coach Eric Chelle’s first game in charge of the Super Eagles following his appointment in January. But most people still don’t know what to expect, as aside from Mali, Chelle has not coached many teams to the top level where he can be seen.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen already said that Chelle informed him that he would be very demanding.

“He’s going to be very demanding. He said that he needs me and the senior players on the team to work with him to achieve amazing things for Nigeria,” Osimhen said.

“But he said the one who does not run or fight for every ball will not play. He was clear with me. He said he can be a big brother or an uncle to everybody. But on the pitch, it is business, if the younger players see us running crazy, they will do it also.”

Now, former Chelsea star Omeruo has shared a snippet of the tactics that Chelle plans to deploy against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Kenneth Omeruo (Photo credit: Imago)
“From my conversation with the coach, I know we are gong to press. We don’t have to give the other team confidence to build the game,” Omeruo told Arise TV.

“When we let them play, then they get confident. We have to put them on their toes from the start of the game. We have to press them high.

“It will be demanding from the players, especially with the weather, but we have to do it because that’s the only way to win these games. We cannot sit back, let them play, and come at us. We have to approach the game like we’re here to win.”

Omeruo is currently out of the Super Eagles squad due to his lack of game fitness. The Nigerian defender had to leave Kasimpasa on mutual terms, and he is now a free agent.

Who is Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle?
Daniel Ogunmodede x Eric Chelle (Photo credit: Imago)
Chelle is a Franco-Malian coach. He was born to a French father and a Malian mother, but he played for the Eagles at the international level.

Nigeria is Chelle’s 6th coaching job after coaching GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Bologna, Mali and MC Oran. Unfortunately, aside from Mali at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, many fans have not been able to assess him properly.

He has to make a big statement with the games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe before Nigerian fans can fully back him and support the team.

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.