Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Chelle has admitted that the performance of his ‘second string players’ in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Uganda means he will have to think carefully before naming his next starting line-up at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sports247 gathered that the Eagles are set to face Mozambique in the round of 16 on Tuesday, January 5th, and Chelle confessed that he now has a lot of options going through his head ahead of the match.
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He admitted that topping the group and staying on in Fes is a huge advantage for the Eagles, as it accords him and the players the opportunity to concentrate and plan properly ahead of the next match.
The Franco-Malian gaffer further conceded that he was happy with how his decision to drop many key players for the last group match paid off on Tuesday and thanked all of the lads who played for their efforts in winning the game.
Chelle retorted, “I just wanted to work on my system and see some new ideas on my side. I have my vision, and I know the work that I’m doing.
“We work on the team, we work on the bench, and we work on those who play. I know my players, and we work together as a team
“I am happy that they scored three goals, and now I have a lot in my head to choose those who will start the next match.”
The highly emotional tactician, who will complete just a year in charge of the Eagles at the start of next week, refrained from making comparisons between the squad that beat Tunisia 3-2 on Saturday and the one that sank Uganda on Tuesday.
He simply commended all 28 players in the squad, which he pointed out is loaded fully with top quality options, and pointed out that he actually adopted varying tactics for both games.
“I don’t want to compare this line-up with the one that started against Tunisia, because we played two different systems. I am just happy that we won, and we top the group.
“I am also happy to stay here in Fes for our next match. We can stay focused, do a lot of training sessions and plan for the next game.
“The weather is difficult, but we have to stay strong and keep working hard. We also have to improve for us to keep winning,” Chelle posited.
Sports247 reports that Chelle dropped eight players from his starting line-up that beat Tunisia on Saturday and gave the captain’s band to Victor Osimhen.
While Ryan Alebiosu got his first cap at right back, with Francis Uzoho starting in goal, a first half strike by Paul Onuachu and two from Raphael Onyedika after the break gave Nigeria the day.
