Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Chelle, has admitted that Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo was a huge morale booster for his players, because he believes they can now face South Africa with fresh confidence in their hearts.
Sports247 reports that, even with Saturday’s win, the Eagles must still defeat Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, as the South Africans lie six points ahead of Nigeria, pending the possibility of a deduction hitting them from the FIFA boardroom.
While Bafana Bafana are now on 16 points, following their 3-0 win over Lesotho on Friday, Nigeria’s victory on Saturday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium took their haul to 10, hence the need for the Eagles to get the maximum haul that will be available in Bloemfontein.
Heading into Tuesday’s game, Chelle admitted he and his players received a huge relief from Saturday’s win in The Nest of Champions, but acknowledged the need for them to double up their efforts in order to defeat Bafana Bafana at their backyard.
The Franco-Malian tactician declared, “We are happy because we won 1-0, and we can now face South Africa with more confidence. I am happy, because we still have a chance.”
While expressing a very strong level of optimism for victory on Tuesday, Chelle stopped short of disclosing specifics of his strategy and starting line-up for the impending game in Bloemfontein, saying instead that he will work according to the best of his professional ability.
“My job is to make this team play well, and my choice matters, but the most important thing is the fitness of each player. This is my job, my heart, my gallery, and I respect all my players,” the former head coach of Mali’s national team and MC Oran of Algeria declared philosophically.
