Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle says Nigeria must remain fully focused, insisting it’s too early for any form of celebration as the team continues its push for a World Cup slot.
Chelle made it clear that the 4-1 semifinal win over Gabon in the CAF World Cup Playoff is only one step on a much longer journey.
“It’s a long road. We just won a match, and there are still hurdles ahead. We have to keep working hard to get to where we want to be,” he said.
The Malian coach acknowledged that the team did not expect the Gabon clash to stretch into extra time but praised his players for their resilience and discipline.
“In the first 30 minutes, we were excellent — the ball movement, the intensity, the accuracy. It’s not just about high intensity; you also have to be physically ready,” he added.
Chelle expressed pride in the players for staying true to his tactical demands.
“I’m very proud of these guys. They stay focused on what I ask of them. The key word today was passion — working together with the same objective. They delivered,” he said.
He stressed that any celebrations must wait until after Sunday’s final against DR Congo.
“Maybe after the second game we can smile,” he noted.
Reflecting on his time in charge, Chelle emphasised the importance of building a clear identity for the Super Eagles.
“Since I came, I’ve tried to create an identity — how we play in defence and offence. With only a few training sessions during FIFA windows, these guys keep improving mentally and technically. They understand what I want.”
Nigeria faces DR Congo on Sunday in a decisive clash to determine who secures Africa’s ticket to next year’s intercontinental playoffs.
