Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will hold his first full training session with the squad on Tuesday as preparations intensify for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on Friday.
With all the invited players in camp except Alhassan Yusuf, who is arriving from Major League Soccer in the United States, the former Mali coach now has a nearly complete squad to work with.
Chelle appears to be fostering a close-knit team, running a disciplined and focused training camp.
In a departure from previous Super Eagles managers, he has barred the media from Tuesday’s session, ensuring an undisturbed environment for his players.
Known for his strict approach, Chelle seems determined to instill a culture of discipline and concentration within the squad.
Former coach Jose Peseiro had previously voiced frustrations about constant media presence around the team, but the 47-year-old has taken it a step further by shutting out the media altogether.
It remains to be seen if he will make any exceptions outside the designated media days.
Lack of bed space or team bonding for Super Eagles?
The Super Eagles’ camp is usually set up with two players sharing a room, each with their own bed. However, Chelle’s first few days in charge have already brought an amusing twist to this arrangement.
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, who is usually roommates with Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, discovered that their allocated room had just one bed instead of the usual two.
Aina, seeing the funny side of the situation, joked that they would have to share the bed, making playful gestures toward Iwobi.
Iwobi, clearly amused, responded that he might have to sleep on the floor—either because the bed wasn’t big enough for both of them or as a form of protest against the unusual arrangement.
As the Super Eagles prepare for a decisive period, Chelle’s early days in charge have already set the tone for a new era—one of discipline, focus, and perhaps, unexpected team bonding moments
