Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle has admitted that his team lost control of their game against Tunisia after dominating the first 75 minutes, then promised a better performance versua Uganda on Tuesday.
Sports247 was present live in Fes, Morocco, as Chelle declared during the post-match conference of the Eagles’ second group match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that he was proud of his players for pulling off a 3-2 win against the Tunisians.
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Although he admitted his team had to struggle to keep their lead for the last 15 minutes of Saturday’s feisty encounter with The Carthage Eagles, Chelle stressed that his players made him happy.
He added that he was also glad about how his squad improved from their opening group 2-1 victory over Tanzania and expressed confidence in their ability to do better with each passing fixture at the ongoing championship.
The Franco-Malian tactician stated, “I am happy that we were able to improve with every game. The first game was also good, and it was not bad, since we won.
“For the second game, we improved. We did some good things, but we also did some bad ones. So, we have to continue to improve.
“For this game, we were good for 75 minutes, since we scored three goals, but we then lost control. Maybe it was a loss of concentration for the corner kicks, and Tunisia then tried hard on us.”
Chelle played down heated debate that ensued over a penalty kick that gave Tunisia their second goal on the night in Fes, insisting instead to take positives from his players’ ability to hold their own for the last 15 minutes, when they came under intense pressure.
“There was a dispute about their penalty kick, but you can say whatever you want about it. For me, the reality is that we deserve the victory.
“At the end of the first half, we had 70% moves on the ball, and we had control of the game for 75 minutes … we were the better side on the pitch.
“So, I am proud and happy for my players. I admit that we had to struggle for the last 15 minutes, but it’s not possible to control a game for all 90 minutes.
“So, 75 minutes is good, and we won. But we still have to work on the lapses of the last 15 minutes,” conceded Chelle, who disputed a suggestion that his substitutions made the Eagles fall apart.
