ABIDJAN, COTE D IVORE – FEBRUARY 1 Alex Iwobi of Nigeria during the TotalEnergies Caf Africa Cup of Nations Afcon 2023 press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Cultural Center,Treichville on February 1, 2024 in Abidjan, Cote d Ivore. Photo by Ganiyu Yusuf Copyright: xx/IMAGO
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has lavished praise on Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, describing the Franco-Malian as a ‘big brother’ figure whose presence has transformed the mood and mentality inside the Super Eagles camp, Soccernet.ng reports.
Since Eric Chelle’s appointment as head coach earlier this year, Nigeria have gone unbeaten in six competitive matches, recording four wins and two draws to reach the World Cup qualifying playoffs.
For Alex Iwobi, who has played under seven different national team managers since his debut in 2015, Chelle’s leadership feels different; more personal, more human, and more driven by unity than hierarchy.
“He’s such a great man,” Iwobi told the BBC.
“We almost don’t see him as like a manager, but like a big brother. He’s created a big brotherhood. You see him on the touchline. He gets heated — he’s literally trying to fight for us. It motivates us, that we want to play not just for Nigeria but for him as well.”
The Super Eagles star’s words carry weight.
Having featured under the likes of Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia, Gernot Rohr, Augustine Eguavoen, José Peseiro, Finidi George, and Salisu Yusuf, Iwobi is no stranger to managerial styles. But Eric Chelle’s approach, he says, has struck a chord with both young and senior players alike.
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Eric Chelle’s influence brings renewed unity and purpose to Nigeria
Iwobi’s remarks come at a crucial time for the national team. Nigeria’s path to the 2026 World Cup has been far from smooth, with the Super Eagles struggling to assert dominance in key qualifying fixtures.
The team failed to beat South Africa across two legs, suffered a shock loss to Benin Republic, and drew winnable home matches against Zimbabwe and Lesotho. Those dropped points ultimately cost Nigeria an automatic ticket to the World Cup, leaving them to fight through the playoffs where they now face Gabon on Thursday.
Yet, despite the setbacks, Iwobi insists the players remain united under Eric Chelle’s leadership and fully understand the fans’ frustration.
“It wasn’t the greatest of starts,” he admitted.
“But they (the fans) also need to understand we all have the same goal. I understand when they’re disappointed because we are very disappointed in not winning games comfortably or winning against teams that maybe we should have.
“We feel like on any day, if we give 100%, and we’ve got the players to do so, that we can beat any team. But there’s one thing saying it — we have to prove it.”
At 28, Iwobi has become one of Nigeria’s most seasoned internationals. With 89 caps and ten goals, the former Arsenal midfielder now ranks among the top five players with the most appearances for the Super Eagles.