- Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has revealed that Eric Chelle personally reached out to him to discuss his plans for the team
- The coach assured the team of a strong working relationship while maintaining a no-nonsense attitude on the pitch
- Osimhen backed Chelle’s leadership, calling him a demanding coach who expects maximum effort from all players
Nigeria’s national football team is set for a new era under Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle, who took charge at the beginning of the year, replacing interim manager Augustine Eguavoen.
As the Super Eagles gear up for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month, Chelle has wasted no time asserting his leadership, stating his demands and setting high expectations for his squad.
One of Nigeria’s key players, Victor Osimhen, has shed light on the new coach’s approach after an early conversation with him.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the Galatasaray forward disclosed that Chelle had personally reached out to him, emphasising the need for discipline, intensity, and unwavering commitment from every player selected to represent Nigeria,
“I know him from the previous AFCON with the Malian team. He’s a coach that loves to play and really loves to fight, 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 shared.
Chelle’s emphasis on work ethic was made clear, with the coach outlining his expectations for every player donning the Super Eagles jersey.
According to Osimhen, the 47-year-old manager will not tolerate any player who fails to put in the required effort,
“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,” Osimhen revealed.
Chelle also assured the players that while he might be intense on the pitch, his leadership style is built on mutual respect,
“He said, ‘I might scream at you guys, I might do a lot of stuff, but don’t take it to heart.’ And I agree with him because Nigeria is a big country with millions of players. If you’re privileged to put on the Super Eagles jersey, you have to give everything. We’ve gotten a coach that is very demanding,” Osimhen added.
With the World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, Chelle’s high standards could serve as a turning point for the Super Eagles, as they aim to secure a place on football’s biggest stage.
Galatasaray joins race for Osimhen's signature, ready to bid €50 million
Previously, TheRadar reported that Galatasaray was preparing to shake up the January transfer window with a not-so-surprising move for Nigeria’s star forward Victor Osimhen.
While Chelsea had long been linked with the 25-year-old striker, the Turkish champions are now looking to secure a permanent deal to keep Osimhen in Istanbul, a city where he has quickly won the hearts of fans.
