Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has strengthened his coaching setup for the Nigerian Olympic team with the appointment of Bright Osehai Ozebagbe and Deniran Ortega as his two assistant coaches.
Chelle, who also doubles as head coach of the Nigeria Olympic Eagles, said the appointments were part of his preparations to guide the team through the qualification campaign for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The Franco-Malian tactician described Ozebagbe and Ortega as two of Nigeria’s promising young coaches, pointing to their profiles and coaching abilities as major reasons for bringing them into his technical team.
According to Chelle, he is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the duo as Nigeria begins preparations for what is expected to be a demanding Olympic qualification journey.
Chelle Sets Out Olympic Qualification Plans
Chelle has already presented his plans and preparations for the Olympic Eagles to the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), with the focus firmly placed on securing Nigeria’s qualification for the Games.
The coach is expected to begin camping for the Olympic Eagles in Abuja ahead of the team’s qualification fixtures scheduled for November 2026.
The early preparations are expected to give the technical crew enough time to assess available players, identify the team’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a competitive squad capable of navigating the qualification process.
The appointment of Ozebagbe and Ortega also provides Chelle with additional technical support as he begins the process of building a team that can compete at the highest level.
NSC Targets Olympic Qualification and Podium Finish
The National Sports Commission is taking the Olympic football programme seriously, with both the men’s and women’s national teams placed under its supervision.
Beyond simply qualifying for the Olympic Games, the NSC has reportedly set its sights on a strong performance in Los Angeles, with the ultimate ambition of seeing Nigeria’s football teams challenge for a podium finish.
The target represents a significant ambition for Nigerian football, which has a proud history at the Olympic Games. The country’s men’s team famously won Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and followed that success with a silver medal at Beijing 2008.
The Olympic Eagles will therefore be expected to carry the weight of that history when the qualification campaign begins.
New Technical Era for Olympic Eagles
Chelle’s dual responsibility with the Super Eagles and Olympic Eagles means his experience at senior international level could prove valuable as Nigeria attempts to develop a team capable of competing against the continent’s strongest sides.
With Ozebagbe and Ortega now joining his technical team, attention will turn to the Abuja camping programme and the selection of players capable of delivering Nigeria’s Olympic ambitions.
For the Nigerian football authorities, the immediate objective is qualification, but the bigger goal is to arrive in Los Angeles with a team capable of competing for honours.
