Nigeria national team head coach, Eric Chelle has opened up on the viral AFCON 2024 water-pouring meme, revealing that the incident was the result of a serious and frightening health challenge.
Chelle disclosed that he survived a near-death experience linked to a heart condition that left him on the brink of collapse.
“I was in the middle of collapsing. During the preparation for the tournament I had an auricular fibrillation. My heart was beating at 200bpm all the time.”
The Franco-Malian coach explained that he continued to lead his team despite severe symptoms, receiving treatment quietly while enduring repeated health episodes.
“I was being treated under the radar but I was having vertigo and fainting spells. I went through the entire CAN like that.”
Chelle further shed light on the moment that later became a viral image, clarifying that it was a critical intervention to prevent him from losing consciousness.
“After the match I needed to catch my breath, I almost collapsed. The physio next to me knew I was about to faint and poured water over my head to keep me awake.”
Also read: Eric Chelle Makes Real Madrid Admission… But He Won’t be Los Blancos’ First African Coach
Chelle was sacked by Mali on June 14, 2024. He was appointed head coach of Nigerian on January 7, 2025.
Since taking charge of the Super Eagles, he has been credited with transforming the team’s style of play, introducing an exciting and attacking brand of football.
Under his leadership, Chelle led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, with the team emerging as the tournament’s highest goal scorers with 14 goals.
