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Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCTFA), Alhaji Adam Mouktar Muhammed, has expressed confidence in the leadership of Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, stating that his managerial style will benefit Nigeria’s quest for a spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Speaking after Nigeria’s 2-0 victory against Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, Muhammed praised the team’s performance, emphasizing their determination and focus under Chelle.
“Congratulations to Nigeria, the NFF, players, and fans for this decisive away victory against Rwanda,” he told NationSports. “It’s never easy to secure such an important result, but the team showed hunger, grit, and composure.”
Muhammed noted that Chelle’s influence was already visible in his first game in charge, highlighting his effective man-management and tactical discipline.
“The new coach has come in with a fresh spirit and a close, hands-on approach to management. I like what I see so far,” he said. “If he keeps delivering results, he could be an excellent fit for the team.”
He also applauded Chelle’s willingness to be more involved in Nigerian football beyond the national team, particularly his interest in scouting and developing homegrown talent.
“He wants to be more locally present rather than a distant coach, which will positively impact our league and help discover new talent,” Muhammed added.
Despite the win in Kigali, Muhammed cautioned that Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup was far from secured, urging the team to stay focused on the remaining five fixtures, starting with Tuesday’s clash against Zimbabwe in Uyo.
“We are not out of the woods yet, but this victory sends a strong message to other teams that we are serious about qualification,” he said. “If we win against Zimbabwe, it will be a massive boost.”
He emphasized that while Nigeria’s fate also depends on other teams’ results, the Super Eagles must take care of their own matches to stand a strong chance of qualifying.
“Imagine a World Cup without this generation of talented Nigerian players? I can’t believe Osimhen hasn’t played at that stage yet,” he remarked. “With players like Ademola Lookman, the current African Player of the Year, we must ensure they get the chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage.”
In the spirit of Ramadan, Muhammed offered prayers for the Super Eagles’ success, urging the team and supporters to remain hopeful.
“Let’s keep believing and plan for every possible scenario so we don’t slip up again,” he said. “In the end, I trust the Nigerian spirit will carry us to where we want to be.”
