Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle opened up about moving conversations with his players ahead of AFCON 2025. The Malian tactician said the squad rallied behind him despite Nigeria's World Cup qualifying collapse.
Chelle made the revelations after Nigeria hammered Zimbabwe 2-0 in the Unity Cup in London on Tuesday. He'd been grappling with the sting of missing out on the 2026 World Cup tournament.
The coach acknowledged immense pressure weighed on both players and staff following that qualifying disappointment. But he praised how the team united to restore national pride at the continental showpiece in Morocco.
Nigeria ultimately finished third at AFCON after defeating Egypt on penalties in the third-place playoff. Chelle reflected on a particularly emotional moment with his squad before the tournament kicked off.
According to the manager, his players made a powerful pledge of solidarity. "For me, it is difficult because at this moment I have never won a trophy," Chelle said.
In his words, the players told him: "Coach, we should go together. We are ready to die with you and if something happens, we go together, if we win, we win together, if we lose, we lose together."
Chelle emphasized that such trust proved vital throughout the competition. Managing expectations and handling pressure became easier with that kind of unity, he noted.
"I am extremely grateful for the trust they have placed in me; you can see that they endure a lot of pressure during the AFCON," the manager added. He acknowledged the players faced harsh realities on and off the pitch.
