Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed that the national team has been battling intense pressure in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite securing a crucial 2-1 win over Lesotho on Friday.
Speaking during a post-match press conference, Chelle praised his players for their resilience but admitted that expectations have weighed heavily on the squad since the start of the qualification campaign in March.
"Today we are happy because we won. We are still alive. I am happy for my players and I want to congratulate them.
"Perhaps we have felt the pressure since March. Every time we meet, they tell me they feel it, because for Nigeria, we need to travel and we need to go to the World Cup. There is a lot of pressure, and this is the reality," he said.
The match saw the return of key figures, including Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Saudi-based defender William Troost-Ekong, whose inclusion strengthened the team’s lineup.
However, Chelle admitted that tension affected their performance, particularly in the first half.
"In the first half, because we were under pressure, technically, sometimes we miss some things, and it is difficult to come on the pitch, because there is a lot of tension, but I am so proud of my guys, and I told them," he added.
Troost-Ekong, who echoed the coach’s sentiments, acknowledged the difficulties faced during the encounter and commended Lesotho for their determination.
"I also want to start by saying that Lesotho played a great game, and we knew that from the start. I can understand the disappointment and frustration because they put up a very good fight. These kinds of games are never easy, and the Coach said that already. The pressure has been on us since March at the start of the Qualifiers," the defender said.
Despite the challenges, Troost-Ekong affirmed the team’s determination to reach the World Cup.
"Now, we just want to focus on ourselves. We want to be better always because we have a team of guys who want to be winners and want to be at the World Cup," he said.
With the victory over Lesotho, the Super Eagles remain in contention as they continue their journey toward securing a place at the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States (US), Canada, and Mexico.
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