‘I Am Honoured to Be the Coach of This Team’: Chelle Hails Super Eagles After AFCON 2025 Bronze Win
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle expressed immense pride in his players after the Super Eagles clinched their ninth Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal with a dramatic 4–2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt, following a tense goalless 90 minutes in the third‑place playoff.
‘Being a coach is never easy,’ Chelle admitted. ‘At one point I felt disappointed, not because the players fell short, but because they gave everything until exhaustion.
‘Tonight, I feel nothing but pride. I am honoured to be the coach of this team, because they gave everything, not only in this match, but over the past two months and throughout a full year of continuous work.’
Chelle praised the resilience and unity of his squad, highlighting the effort that went into building a strong group.
‘What we achieved did not come by chance. It took patience, calmness, and a lot of hard work to manage different personalities, but the players responded in the best possible way. They gave everything for me, for the staff, and for the country. I respect them all and I am extremely proud of what they delivered.’
The coach stressed that the bronze medal was not just about one night in Morocco, but part of a longer journey for Nigerian football.
‘This match is a foundation for the future. We tried different ideas, tested multiple approaches, and learned from every situation. Some things worked, others did not, but that is how teams grow. What matters most is clear: this team has character, commitment, and a strong future ahead.’
