Super Eagles’ new technical adviser, Eric Chelle has served up a strong hint that he would be counting on the trio of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon to rain an avalanche of goals on their opponents when he eventually sets out with the team.
Sports247 reports that Lookman, who plays for Atalanta of Italy, is current African Footballer of The Year, which was won the previous time out by Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray of Turkey, while Simon has become a dazzling mainstay at FC Nantes of France.
Osimhen is just 13 goals away from becoming Nigeria’s all-time highest goals scorer and he is expected to continue leading the Eagles’ attack when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in March, with Lookman waltzing down the left flank and Simon showing his skills on the right.
The lethal combination of this troika is what Chelle is now obviously counting on to make his stay in the Eagles’ saddle a huge success, starting with a seemingly unlikely qualification for the next Mundial, which can only be guaranteed with victories in all their remaining matches.
Chelle admitted as much in his inaugural speech after his official unveiling in Abuja on Monday, with Sports247ng noting that the former Mali gaffer repeatedly promised goals galore for Nigeria during his tenure.
Although many football fans and analysts are critical of the Franco-Malian tactician’s acumen, Chelle hinted that he would build his search for glory round Lookman, Osimhen and Simon in a 4-3-3 formation, as he specifically mentioned the three front men while buttressing the all-around attacking flair he aims to instil into the Nigerian squad.
Chelle affirmed, “I know the expectation of the Nigerian people. I love attacking football. It’s my philosophy. I am very certain that the Super Eagles will score goals. Football is all about scoring goals. The Super Eagles are not lacking players in the scoring aspect of the game. This new generation now includes Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and others.”
Chelle also admitted that ensuring the Eagles qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is his priority, but he also reckoned that it will become possible through his untiring efforts, total focus by the players and immense support from their fans.
“Going to the World Cup is important. I have seen the quality of the team, and I am here to work,” assured the Eagles’ latest gaffer, who took Mali to the quarter-finals of the last Africa Cup of Nations and was in charge of MC Oran FC of Algeria up until this past Saturday.
