Super Eagles coach Chelle reveals the exact month he'll start thinking about 2025 Afcon

Newly appointed Super Eagles coach Eric Sékou Chelle has shared his thoughts on the draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, emphasizing his focus on the 2026 Fiifa World Cup qualifiers.

The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) took place in Rabat, Morocco, and Nigeria's Super Eagles were drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia. 

The Super Eagles, three-time winners of the tournament, will be looking to make a strong impression under new coach Eric Chelle.

Chelle, who led Mali to a quarterfinal exit at the last AFCON, is now at the helm of the Nigerian team. 

The French tactician will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Otto Glória and Clemens Westerhof, who both led the Super Eagles to AFCON glory.

Nigeria qualified for the tournament by finishing top of Group D in the qualifiers, earning 11 points from a possible 18.

However, the Super Eagles new boss explicitly states that his focus is currently on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they are winless in all four games played out of ten matchdays, and that he will start thinking about the continental showpiece in October 2025.

"There is no little team in AFCON, you need to be focused," The Franco-Malian gaffer told the Super Eagles media. 

"I said a few minutes later, I'm focused on my players, the team and March. We need to be focused on the World Cup qualifiers and after that, in October, we really can think about the AFCON. Now, we need to win two games in March".

When quizzed about being paired with Tunisia who knocked Nigeria out of the 2021 edition of the AFCON at the round of 16, he reiterated his focus on getting the Super Eagles back on track at the World Cup qualifiers stressing that the AFCON will be a later topic of discussion.

"No, I'm focused on the World Cup qualifiers," he said. "This is a draw, there are four teams in each group and anyone in the AFCON can win the tournament. Now, I need to watch my players, work with them and stay focused on the two games in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe and after that, we will see in October for the AFCON. For now, let's focus on March please." 

The Super Eagles will resume their bid to get back on track in the World Cup qualifiers in March with an away trip to group leaders Rwanda at the Amahoro stadium. 

They will then face Zimbabwe and Chelle will be aiming to pick up all six points from both games.

With the AFCON draw results now out, the Super Eagles will be looking to go a step better than their second place finish at the 2024 edition. 

However, Chelle's focus remains on the World Cup qualifiers, and he will be hoping to get his team back on track before turning his attention to the AFCON.

Ejim Kaycee

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