Nigeria’s senior national team coach, Eric Chelle, has challenged the Flying Eagles to remain focused and obedient to their coaches as they begin a new journey under head coach Abdul Maikaba.
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Chelle delivered the message during a visit to the Flying Eagles’ training camp in Abuja, where he met the players and coaching staff ahead of their participation in the upcoming WAFU B U-20 Championship in Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles tactician encouraged the young players to stay committed to their ambitions and embrace discipline as they seek to make their mark on the international stage.
“If you want to succeed and go far to achieve your dreams, you have to be focused and secondly, listen attentively to your coaches,” Chelle told the players.
“If you do these, the sky will definitely be your starting point and chances for you to succeed are high.”
Chelle’s visit comes at a crucial period for the Flying Eagles, who are entering a new era under Maikaba following his recent appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation.
Maikaba has already outlined ambitious plans for the seven-time African champions, declaring his intention to build a winning culture capable of restoring Nigeria’s dominance in youth football.
The experienced coach has emphasized discipline, tactical organization, and faith in local talent as the pillars of his project.
The immediate target for Maikaba and his team is the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Ivory Coast next month.
The tournament serves as a qualification pathway to the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, which in turn determines qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles remain one of Africa’s most successful youth teams. The team finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989 and 2005, while also securing a third-place finish in 1985.
However, the prestigious global title has continued to elude the West African giants.
With a new coach at the helm and encouragement coming from the senior national team boss, hopes are high that the Flying Eagles can begin a fresh chapter and challenge for major honours once again.
As preparations intensify in Abuja, Chelle’s simple but powerful advice, focus and respect for coaching instructions, could prove vital as Maikaba seeks to guide Nigeria’s next generation of stars to new heights.
