AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle embraces crushing pressure of coaching Super Eagles in Morocco

Leading the Super Eagles isn't just another job, and Eric Chelle gets it. Nigeria's coach has revealed what it truly means to take charge of one of Africa's most passionate football nations, and the responsibility is different.

"When you coach Nigeria, you have to win everything," Chelle said, laying bare the immense pressure that comes with the role heading into the tournament in Morocco.

It's a simple statement, but it carries the weight of 200 million expectations, not just the 28 players selected for the competition.

The Malian tactician understands he's inherited a legacy built by legends like Stephen Keshi and a fanbase that demands excellence at every tournament, not just participation.

This is Chelle's reality as he prepares for AFCON 2025 in Morocco. Nigerian fans don't do moral victories or ‘good efforts.’ They want trophies, and they want dominance.

The Super Eagles are three-time African champions, and anything less than a deep run in this tournament will be considered failure, regardless of the competition or circumstances.

But Chelle's words suggest he's not intimidated by the pressure, he's embracing it. There's no deflection, no excuses about needing time to build or adjust. He knows what's required, and he's accepted the challenge head-on.

Whether that confidence translates into results remains to be seen, but Nigerians are watching closely as the team opens their Group C campaign against Tanzania on December 23.

The Super Eagles will also face Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 31, all in Fez. For Chelle, every match is a test, not just of tactics or talent, but of whether he can handle the unique intensity of coaching Nigeria. As he said himself: you have to win everything. Now comes the hard part: actually doing it.