Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle watches first NPFL match as Ikorodu City edge Plateau United in Lagos thriller

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was in attendance as Ikorodu City secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Plateau United in their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 25 encounter on Wednesday evening, FootyNaija.com reports.

Chelle, appointed in January, has been tasked with leading Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He also has a secondary role overseeing the CHAN Eagles, Flying Eagles, and scouting NPFL talents for the national team.

OFFICIAL

We’ll have the honor of welcoming the new head coach of the Super Eagles Eric Chelle to our home game this afternoon.

It’s a pleasure to be the first NPFL team the Super Eagles coach will visit to watch live.

KO: 5:30pm #OgaBoys \\ #WeAreIkoroduCityFC pic.twitter.com/X7CzpfLzde

— IkoroduCityFC (@IkoroduCityFC) February 19, 2025

Hours after his official unveiling in Abuja, the former Lens defender visited the CHAN Eagles’ camp in Ikenne-Remo, meeting the players and his home-based assistants, Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu.

He then embarked on a European tour, engaging with key Super Eagles stars, including Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, and Nantes winger Moses Simon.

Returning to Nigeria earlier this week, the 47-year-old immediately visited the Flying Eagles, the reigning WAFU B U-20 champions, who are preparing under head coach Aliyu Zubairu for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

From there, Chelle travelled to Lagos, where Ikorodu City hosted Plateau United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

A pulsating contest in Lagos

Ikorodu City, riding high in the league’s top half, came into the match unbeaten at home since September. However, Plateau United were determined to impress the Super Eagles coach and struck first in the 34th minute through youngster Albert Hilary.

Behind at the break. Let’s fight boys#NPFL25 MD25#OgaBoys \\ #WeAreIkoroduCityFC pic.twitter.com/aQYhM3obxk

— IkoroduCityFC (@IkoroduCityFC) February 19, 2025

The hosts responded with relentless pressure, and their persistence paid off midway through the second half when Olatunji Abdulmalik converted from a pass by Flying Eagles invitee Shola Adelani.

Not content with a draw, Ikorodu City pushed forward, and with ten minutes left, Tosin Oyedokun smashed home the winner, completing the comeback and sending the home crowd into celebration.

The victory lifts newly promoted Ikorodu City to fifth place on the NPFL table with 38 points from 25 matches.

For Eric Chelle, it was a thrilling introduction to NPFL action, showing the depth of talent available in the domestic league as he begins his mission of assembling the best squad for Nigeria’s World Cup and AFCON campaigns.