Nigeria head coach, Eric Chelle has delivered an honest, emotional, and wide-ranging assessment of the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco.
The coach has admitted his side fell short technically and physically despite showing strong mentality in the heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after Nigeria were eliminated 4–2 on penalties following a goalless draw in Rabat, Chelle praised his players’ fighting spirit but acknowledged that Morocco deserved to advance to the final.
“We Missed the Intensity” – Eric Chelle
Opening the press conference, Chelle did not shy away from Nigeria’s shortcomings on the night.
“So this game, we missed a lot of things,” Chelle said.
“The intensity, technically, the movement. Morocco, they deserved this victory, but our state of mind was good.”
The Franco-Malian tactician was keen that his players gave everything in terms of commitment despite the disappointing loss.
“We fight on every ball, and before this game, I talked to the press conference and I said something.”
“Everybody tried to, ah, this is a bluff or I’m a liar,” he continued.
“I know my group. And for sure, it was not easy for us for this game, but the player give us a good response with the state of mind.”
“They fight on every ball and it’s difficult because, yeah, we lose again in the penalty session.”
Chelle admitted the manner of defeat was especially painful, given the work put in on the training ground.
“And it’s crazy because we work a lot during all of the training session, but this is the football.”
“We have to accept that and continue to work.”
Eric Chelle Speaks on Samuel Chukwueze
Chelle was also questioned about his substitutions, including the introduction of Moses Simon in midfield and the decision to bring on Samuel Chukwueze ahead of the penalty shoot-out.
“So like I said, normally we play in 4-4-2 diamond,” he explained.
“And because I feel it was difficult for make a high pressure, this is why I put Moses in the midfield.”
On Chukwueze’s late introduction, Chelle was emphatic that the decision was data-driven.
“And after that, like you said, I put Chukwueze for the penalty session, you know, because we work.”
“We did work during all training session for the penalty kick.”
“So with the statistic, the guys who kicked the penalty were the best during one month. So this is why we put this guy on the pitch.”
Tactical Setup and High Press Explained
Responding to questions about Nigeria’s subdued display compared to earlier matches in the tournament, Chelle defended his tactical approach and explained why execution, rather than intent, failed.
“We played this game in 4-4-2 diamond, like the other game,” he said.
“And, you know, if you play in 4-4-2 diamond, you have to put some high pressure because if you don’t do that, you let the side, the wings, and it’s difficult to defend after.”
Chelle revealed that Nigeria started brightly but gradually lost their pressing intensity.
“And you see during the first half, during 15 minutes, our pressing was good, but after that, every time we missed one metre and two metres and it was difficult for us after, because it was difficult for us in the high pressure.”
He was clear that fatigue was not an excuse, but admitted the technical level dropped.
“And technically, we were not like the same game, you know. So I don’t want to say we are tired, we were tired or something else.”
“The reality, we play this game like a fight. But like you said, it was not our team.”
“We missed a lot of movement. We missed a lot of ball. But our state of mind, like I said, was very good.”
“They fight on every ball and I’m proud of this guy.”
On Onyedika, Ndidi’s Absence, and Team Struggles
When asked about Raphael Onyedika’s performance in the role left vacant by Wilfred Ndidi, Chelle refused to single out individuals.
“At this moment, it’s difficult to talk about one player, only one player. I just want to talk about the team,” he said.
He again pointed to Nigeria’s inability to sustain their pressing and find technical solutions.
“We try during 15 minutes and 20 minutes to put a lot of high pressure in that game. And you see that after 15 minutes and 20 minutes, it was difficult for us.”
“So when we get the ball back, we never find the solution technically. And it was difficult for us.”
Chelle explained his decision to adjust shape and personnel to deal with Morocco’s wide threat.
“So I made the choice to put some winger in the second half, after 60 or 70 minutes, I don’t remember exactly, but I made this choice to close the wings.”
“This is not a question about only one player, but the team.”
Atmosphere, Pressure, and Nigeria’s First Goalless Game
Nigeria entered the semi-final having scored 14 goals in the tournament, but failed to break down Morocco’s defence. Chelle cited pressure and atmosphere as key factors.
“No, you know, it’s difficult to play this big game because you are in Morocco.”
“You play against a team, but you play against the crowd and you are under pressure more.”
Once again, he returned to missed movement and technical execution.
“We missed some movement in that game. Technically, it was not the last game and the other game, so we lost many balls.”
Still, Chelle insisted his players delivered on effort.
“So the players did well. They fight on every ball. So the reality, I’m proud of my players.”
Read More: “We Deserved It” – Morocco React After Reaching AFCON Final After 22 Years
Read More: “Losing on Penalties Is Very Painful” – Chelle Cries as Super Eagles Fall to Morocco in Semi-Final Heartbreak
Read More: AFCON 2025: Osayi-Samuel Confident Super Eagles Can Silence Hosts Morocco
“I’m Proud, But It’s Very Hard”
Chelle concluded by reflecting on how close Nigeria came to another AFCON final, having gone unbeaten in regulation time.
“So once again, it’s very hard for me and for the player because the reality, we go at this half-time without any loss during 90 minutes.”
Nigeria will now turn their attention to the third-place playoff against Egypt, while Chelle’s own future remains uncertain.
