Nigeria national football team head coach Eric Chelle says he still dreams of qualifying for and even winning the FIFA World Cup despite recent disappointments.
The 48-year-old Malian, who led the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, has faced scrutiny after back-to-back eliminations on penalties.
Nigeria were the highest-scoring side at the tournament, but their campaign ended in a semi-final shootout defeat to hosts Morocco national football team.
Two months earlier, their hopes of returning to the World Cup were also dashed following another penalty loss, this time to the DR Congo national football team in Rabat.
Speaking on the Histoires de Foot Podcast, Chelle insisted his ambitions remain undimmed.
“I have a structure around me to try to progress as a coach. It’s true that not long ago, I said that my dream was to be the first African at Real Madrid CF,” he said.
“But that’s not my only dream. I want to win an Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. If we had gone through, I wanted to qualify for the World Cup with Nigeria, I even wanted to win that World Cup.
“I have lots of dreams. I’m 48 years old but still young and someone who wants to realise his dreams.”
Chelle has one year remaining on his current contract, with the Nigeria Football Federation holding an option to extend his deal until 2027.
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