By our reporter 18.1.2026
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle said he is committed to building a stronger national team as the present squad laid a foundation for future development.
Chelle who was speaking after the Super Eagles beat the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 to win third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, noted that the players throughout the tournament give everything they had to the point of exhaustion to make Nigerian fans happy.
The Super Eagles won all their matches fair and square until the semi-final when they played against Morocco in a game that was dubbed the final before the final. Backed by their vociferous home fans and some slight phycological trauma inflicted by the match officials, the team played the Atlas Lions the best team in Africa at the moment to a standstill but lost out in the shootout.
“The players gave everything for me, for the coaching staff, and for the country. I respect them all and am extremely proud of what they delivered,” said coach Chelle who has been linked with a move to Tunisia.
“We tried different ideas, tested multiple approaches, and learned from every situation. Some things worked, others did not—but that is how teams develop. What matters most to me is clear: this team has character, commitment, and a strong future ahead.”
He added that he was proud to have coached the Super Eagles and would definitely continue with the work he has started.
“What we achieved did not come by chance. There was a great deal of work done with the players. Building a strong group is not easy; managing different personalities requires calm and patience, but the players responded in the best possible way.
“We will build on this experience, and it will be the foundation for the next phase of work.”
