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The Moment Super Eagles’ Coach, Eric Chelle Almost Got Into A Fight With DR Congo Staff Following Nigeria’s Defeat (Video)

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle nearly clashed with a member of the DR Congo staff following Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss last night.

DR Congo came back from a goal down to beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in a tightly-contested African play-offs final on Sunday, November 16, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, picking Africa’s sole ticket for the intercontinental play-offs billed for March next year.

Before a final penalty, Chelle was seen attempting to start a fight with a member of the DR Congo staff. He had to be held back by some of his coaching crew.

During his post-match interview,  Éric Chelle stated that the reason for his anger was that the Democratic Republic of the Congo team was performing rituals on the sidelines during the penalty shootout to disrupt the game.

“Throughout every second of the penalty shootout, a member of the DR Congo team’s staff did some voodoo.

“This was the case for every penalty kick, and it made me feel very uncomfortable,” he said.

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Nigeria vs Benin: ‘We Have opportunity’ – Troost-Ekong On How Super Eagles Will Secure World Cup Ticket

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has expressed confidence ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, saying Eric Chelle’s Benin Republic side presents an “opportunity” for Nigeria to capitalize on.

According to Troost-Ekong, Nigeria needs to beat Benin in Uyo and do that convincingly with more than one goal.

The former Watford defender spoke at his post-match interview after leading the Super Eagles to beat Lesotho 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Friday.

“We want to be at the World Cup, we have said that now for the last nine months,”Troost-Ekong said.

“We have the opportunity now with the game in Uyo against Benin [Republic], who we know we have to score a certain number of goals.

“It was always the case that we needed to win the game and we had to win it convincingly.”

Benin Republic is three points ahead of Nigeria and two points ahead of South Africa in Group C standings.

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I’m Not Interested In Eric Chelle’s Job – Eguavoen Says

Augustine Eguavoen, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has made it clear that he has no interest whatsoever in taking up the Super Eagles coaching role.

There were reports in the media that the NFF has lined up Eguavoen and Ladan Bosso as replacement for Chelle should the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to the publication, Eguavoen and Bosso will also lead the Super Eagles to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Eguavoen said he is hurt with the baseless rumours.

“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from.

“I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad.

“I am praying for him to succeed,” Eguavoen told thenff.com.

The Super Eagles will be in action against the Crocodiless of Lesotho on Friday.

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2026 WCQ: Nigeria’s 1-1 Draw With South Africa Good Result – Super Eagles Coach, Chelle

Eric Chelle, Super Eagles coach has reacted to Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier 1-1 draw with South Africa.
Recall that the game was played on Tuesday.
Chelle spoke to reporters at his post-match interview after the game at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Recall that William Troost-Ekong’s own-goal gave Bafana Bafana the lead in the 22nd minute.
But Calvin Bassey equalized for the Super Eagles before half time.
Both teams failed to score in the second half as the match ended in a draw after normal time.
 
“At the beginning in the second half we put alot of pressure on South Africa but missing something maybe the last technical skills, maybe the last pass,” Chelle said.
“So the draw with a good result, to get a draw in South Africa, it’s a good result but for us we wanted to win, so we are a little dissapointed but this is football.”
Chelle’s side are in their position with 11 points with two games left, while South Africa and Benin Republic have 17 and 16 points, respectively.
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2026 WCQ: Chelle Releases Final Super Eagles 23-Man List For Rwanda, S/Africa Showdown

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa scheduled for next month.

While there are the regulars included, there are also notable omissions.

The likes of Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have been left out. Also Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad would not be playing any part.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers.

The selected 23 include:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).