Fresh off Nigeria’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Jamaica in the 2025 Unity Cup final, Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has declared that the team is just getting started.
While celebrating the victory, Chelle emphasized that the real work lies ahead as he fine-tunes his tactical identity and pushes for continuous improvement.
“Winning the Unity Cup is a positive step, but we must keep improving,” Chelle stated.
“There’s a shift in our team’s identity; we’re playing with greater intensity, and it’s crucial we build on this momentum.”
Chelle, appointed in January 2025, has been focused on instilling an attacking philosophy within the team.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style,” he remarked during his unveiling.
The Unity Cup served as a platform for Chelle to implement his tactical ideas and assess player adaptability.
“It gave us a glimpse of the hard work the coach is investing in building a Super Eagles team we can rely on,” noted NFF President Ibrahim Gusau.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles are set to face Russia in an international friendly, providing another opportunity to refine strategies and integrate new talents. Chelle’s commitment to an attacking style and high-intensity play aims to prepare the team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We are out for revenge. We know what this team is capable of, and our goal is clear—to lift the trophy in Morocco,” Chelle asserted, referencing the upcoming AFCON tournament.
As the Super Eagles continue their journey under Chelle’s guidance, the focus remains on building a cohesive, dynamic team ready to compete on the global stage.
