Dikko sets 2030 W’Cup target after Chelle renewal

Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman, Shehu Dikko, has reaffirmed confidence in Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, confirming his continued tenure despite the national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Chelle, who was appointed in March 2025, will also handle the U-23 team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics qualifiers.

Discussions between the NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja centered on rebuilding efforts and future planning. Dikko announced that new contract terms have been agreed upon for Chelle and his assistants, along with fresh performance targets. "We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it," Dikko stated.

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We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it.

The NSC chairman stressed the importance of shifting focus to long-term strategies. "We have the next AFCON and the World Cup so we must start preparing now by putting our house in order to make sure all the mistakes that we have suffered will not happen again," he added. This renewed emphasis on planning comes after Nigeria's second consecutive World Cup absence, following a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the African play-offs.

Despite the World Cup disappointment, Chelle's previous performance saw the Super Eagles achieve four wins and two draws, guiding them to the play-offs. The team also secured a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, offering some encouragement. Nigeria, a historically strong footballing nation with three AFCON titles, aims to return to the World Cup stage in 2030.

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We have also discussed how we can build for the future. We have the next AFCON and the World Cup so we must start preparing now by putting our house in order to make sure all the mistakes that we have suffered will not happen again.