Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has broken his silence following Nigeria’s heartbreaking exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reacting to the defeat against Morocco that ended the country’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
Nigeria entered the tournament with renewed confidence, aiming to overcome the disappointment of the 2023 AFCON final loss in Côte d’Ivoire and the painful failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, that dream came to an end after the Super Eagles fell to the host nation in a tense encounter decided by penalties.
Speaking after the match, Chelle admitted that his side did not hit the same heights they had shown earlier in the competition.
While he refused to blame fatigue, the Franco-Malian coach acknowledged a noticeable dip in technical sharpness and intensity at key moments of the game.
“Our technicality was not like the same from last match. I don’t want to say we were tired but that’s not the level.”
Chelle explained that Nigeria struggled to impose themselves the way they had done in previous matches, stressing that small margins and decision-making ultimately worked against his team on the night.
Despite the loss, the coach was full of praise for his players’ attitude and fighting spirit. He noted that the Super Eagles showed resilience and commitment, battling until the final whistle in what was always going to be a difficult contest against the host nation.
He also addressed questions surrounding his tactical calls, particularly during the penalty shootout, insisting that his decisions were based strictly on what he saw in training.
On the penalties, Chelle said:
“We put Chukwueze for penalties because the guys who kicked the penalties were the best in training. The match was never easy, but the players showed strong mentality and fought for every ball. We worked hard throughout the tournament. This is football, and we must continue working.”
According to Chelle, penalty shootouts are unpredictable and should not be used to judge a team’s overall performance or commitment across the competition.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles coach emphasised the need to regroup quickly as attention shifts to the third-place playoff, while also hinting that discussions regarding his future with the national team will take place after the tournament.
For now, Chelle insists the focus remains on finishing the AFCON campaign strongly and taking lessons from a tournament that once again came down to the finest of margins.