Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has challenged his players to raise their level when Nigeria face Tunisia in their next Group C match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
READ ALSO: Bagbe Micheal Slams Claims of Tactical Failure in South Africa’s Loss to Egypt
Chelle admitted that while the three points were important, the overall display did not meet his expectations.
“It was important that we won, but it was not our best performance,” Chelle said.
Nigeria controlled large parts of the opening match but were briefly pegged back after conceding early in the second half, before responding to secure the win.
Chelle acknowledged the team’s reaction but stressed that improvement is required as the tournament progresses.
“There are areas we still need to improve, and we will address them when we analyse the game,” he added.
The Super Eagles coach emphasized that AFCON is a competition where lapses in concentration can be costly, noting that stronger opponents will punish mistakes.
“At this level, you cannot afford to switch off. We must be more consistent,” Chelle said.
Looking ahead to the clash with Tunisia, Chelle described it as a key test for his side and an opportunity to show growth.
“Tunisia are experienced. If we want a good result, we must play better,” he stated.
Despite the criticism, Chelle praised his players for starting the tournament with a win, noting that opening victories are crucial in major competitions.
“The most important thing was to start with three points. Now we build from there,” he concluded.
Nigeria sit on three points in Group C, with the Tunisia encounter expected to play a decisive role in their push for qualification to the knockout stage.
