Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle believes that a successful outing at the crucial 2026 World Cup playoffs coming up next week will drive his ambition to win the 2025 AFCON, which will be held in Morocco between December this year and January 2026.

Chelle didn’t mince words about his ambition to win the upcoming AFCON, but he is also aware that his ambition could be derailed if the country fails to advance to the inter-continental playoffs and keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.

In a campaign that saw them fail to win any of their opening four matches, the Super Eagles missed out on the automatic ticket to the World Cup, thus facing a longer journey to reaching the tournament billed for the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria will face Gabon in one of the semi-finals of the African playoffs next Thursday, with a potential date against the winners of the other semi-final between DR Congo and Cameroon.

“Since March, we’ve played every match under pressure. When we set foot in Morocco, that pressure will be familiar. We’ll be ready mentally and in our collective mindset. If we arrive on the back of play-off success, stopping us will be difficult,” Chelle told CAFOnline.

“Before AFCON, there’s a crucial target: the World Cup play-offs. The goal is to win those matches. If we win the first (Gabon), we’ll aim for the second, then turn to AFCON.

“We’re working in parallel, but our mindset must first be on those immediate tests. When you coach Nigeria, you have to win everything. But we proceed with humility, with a smile and a will to work. This team has great players. If we stay serious, motivated and united, nothing is impossible.”

Should the Super Eagles have a successful playoff, Chelle will be able to turn his attention to the 2025 AFCON, which will be played from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Nigeria has won three AFCON titles in 1980, 1994 and 2013, before losing in the final of the last edition against hosts Ivory Coast.

When asked about his target at the upcoming edition in Morocco, Chelle, who was appointed as the Super Eagles coach in January, was unequivocal about his desire to win.

“Of course, we want to win it. Personally, I want to win AFCON. My last — and first — AFCON was a fantastic experience. I think Morocco will be a great tournament, too. The players feel the same.” (Saturday PUNCH)