'There Are No Small Teams' - Super Eagles Coach Hails Rapidly Improving Uganda Ahead of AFCON 2025 Battle

Since taking the helm in March 2025, Eric Sekou Chelle has engineered a dramatic turnaround for the Super Eagles.

In just six matches, he has secured four wins and two draws, earning 14 out of a possible 18 points and steering Nigeria towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 African play-offs. This is a stark contrast to the mere two points the team had managed before his arrival.

The former Mali head coach, who guided his previous team to the quarter-finals of the last TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, is now tasked with restoring Nigeria to the pinnacle of African football.

In an exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com, Eric Sekou Chelle discussed his ambitions, his strategy for managing a star-studded attack, and his people-first philosophy built on respect and unity.

Eric Chelle explained that Nigeria’s ambition for AFCON 2025 could not be reduced to a single word. He reminded that during the draw, he had referred to the squad as a revenge-minded team, but later clarified that the mentality ran much deeper than that.

According to him, international football offers very limited time for players to work together on the pitch, meaning attitude becomes just as crucial as tactics or technique.

Chelle noted that the national team must build everything on a common mindset, one that every player understands and believes in. He said he had already shared with the squad how he defines that mentality, stressing that it is rooted in values, responsibility, and identity rather than game plans alone.

In his assessment, the players had started to embrace that shared idea, which he believes will shape every performance going into the tournament.

“I’m not sure one word is enough. At the draw, I spoke of a “revenge-minded” team, but the mindset is broader. In national-team football, mentality is everything because time on the pitch is limited,” he revealed.

“We must anchor a shared mindset…it becomes the foundation for every performance. I shared my definition of that mindset with the players, and I think they’re taking it on board. It’s not just about tactics or technique; it’s about values, and this team is starting to identify with those values.”

Eric Chelle also stressed that the continental tournament offers no easy opposition. He pointed out that every country arrives prepared and capable of causing problems, especially with the growth seen across African football.

He reminded that with Nigeria’s reputation and the quality in their squad, the expectations will be high and the Super Eagles cannot afford a casual approach.

“At AFCON, there are no small teams. Every nation arrives with a real chance to showcase their progress. Given our history and the calibre of our players, we must deliver a great AFCON,” he revealed.

“It’s a tough group: Tunisia have had an excellent year, Uganda are improving fast under Paul Put, and Tanzania’s domestic league is competitive. We’ll have to be very serious and trust our mindset.”

As Nigeria prepare for a do-or-die clash at the Africa Cup of Nations, Eric Chelle has already set his targets and sent a stark warning to their rivals.