AFCON: Éric Chelle vows to build on Nigeria’s experience following 2025 campaign in Morocco

The head coach of Nigeria, Éric Chelle, has stated that the Super Eagles will build on the experience gained from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco.

​Super Eagles finished the tournament in third place after a goalless draw in Casablanca led to a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over the Pharaohs of Egypt on Saturday, clinching the bronze medal.

​Speaking after the match, according to cafonline, Chelle expressed his pride in the squad, noting that the players gave their all for the nation.

“Being a coach is never easy. At one point I felt disappointed, not because the players fell short, but because they gave everything they had until exhaustion. Today, as I stand here, I feel great pride in them.

I am very proud to be the coach of the Nigerian national team. This team gave everything—not only in this match, but over the past two months and throughout a full year of continuous work.”

The Malian tactician added that the team’s achievement is the result of rigorous preparation, and this experience will serve as the foundation for the future.

“What we achieved did not come by chance. There was a great deal of work done with the players. Building a strong group is not easy; managing different personalities requires calm and patience, but the players responded in the best possible way.

The players gave everything for me, for the coaching staff, and for the country. I respect them all and am extremely proud of what they delivered.This match is not just a one-night story; it is part of a longer journey that concerns the future of this team.

We will build on this experience, and it will be the foundation for the next phase of work.”

Nigeria entered the tournament as one of the favourites and impressed by going unbeaten in the group stage. They eliminated the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16 and the Fennec Foxes of Algeria in the quarter-finals. However, they narrowly missed out on the final after a barren draw against hosts Morocco ended in a penalty shootout defeat.

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