Eric Chelle is aiming high with Nigeria.

After guiding Nigeria to third place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Eric Chelle now sets out his ambitions: to win the Africa Cup of Nations and, in the long term, aim for the World Cup with the Super Eagles.

Eric Chelle, the head coach of the Nigeria national football team, is straightforward about his ambitions. Under contract for less than a year longer with the Nigerian squad, the coach said he intends to aim for the top, both on the continent and on the global stage.

Invited to the podcast Histoires de Foot, the former Malian international spoke frankly about his dreams: “I have a support network around me that helps me grow as a coach. It is true that not long ago, I said that my dream was to be the first African at Real Madrid.” Aiming for more than just a prestigious bench. “But that is not my only dream. I want to win the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria,” he stated, determined.

And Chelle sees even further: “If we had progressed, I would have wanted to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup, and I would even have wanted to win it.” Before concluding: “I have many dreams. I am 48 years old, but I am still young and I want to realize my dreams.” For a reminder, the head coach led the Super Eagles to third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, earning a bronze medal that now fuels higher ambitions.