AFCON: Nigeria coach Chelle says NFF will decide his future

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle admitted he was not sure about his future with the national team after they were kicked out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the semifinals stage in Morocco.

The Super Eagles’ journey in the 2025 edition came to an end after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged the hero as hosts Morocco booked their place in the final for the first time in 22 years, edging Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.

After 90 minutes and extra time failed to separate the sides, the contest was settled from the penalty spot, where Bounou rose to the occasion in front of a packed Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.

The Morocco goalkeeper underlined his status as one of the continent’s finest, producing decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi and propel the Atlas Lions one step closer to glory.

‘I am the coach of Nigeria at the moment’

“My future, I don’t know for now. I am the coach of Nigeria at this moment, but it depends on whether the NFF want me to continue or not,” Chelle told reporters after the Morocco defeat.

“The tournament is not over yet. After the AFCON, I will meet with the NFF and we will decide the next step.”

On the defeat to Morocco, the Malian coach said: “The match was never easy, but the players showed a strong mental response and fought for every ball. Losing on penalties is very painful.

“It’s difficult because we worked hard throughout the entire tournament, but that’s football. We must continue working. We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated.

“From a technical point of view, we were not at the same level we showed in other matches. I don’t want to say the reason was fatigue, but the truth is that we lacked movement and power.”

Nigeria will face Egypt for a third-place play-off at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, while Morocco will face Senegal in the final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.

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