Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that Nigeria’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco pushed him to the edge emotionally, as his team almost surrendered a commanding lead in the closing stages of a pulsating encounter.
The Super Eagles looked firmly in control after racing into a three-goal advantage against the North African giants, but a late surge from Tunisia turned what appeared to be a comfortable night into a nerve-shredding finale that tested both the players and their coach.
Speaking after the match, Chelle did not hide his emotions, revealing how tense the final minutes became on the touchline.
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“Those last 15 minutes or so will probably give me nightmares,” the Nigerian coach confessed. “I was going a little bit crazy on the touchline because the players had put in a huge performance, and they deserved a big game like this.”
For Chelle, the tension was amplified by the stature and resilience of the opposition. Tunisia arrived at the tournament with an intimidating defensive record, having not conceded a single goal throughout their World Cup qualifying campaign. Breaking them down, let alone scoring three times, was something the Super Eagles coach considered a major statement.
“It was a real test against a big team like Tunisia,” he explained. “This is a side that didn’t concede a single goal during the World Cup qualifiers. To score three goals against them is massive for us. For me, that alone makes it a great game.”
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Beyond the goals, Chelle was particularly encouraged by Nigeria’s control of the contest for large stretches. The Super Eagles dictated possession, managed the tempo, and imposed themselves physically and tactically for nearly 70 minutes, offering glimpses of the identity the coach wants his team to embody throughout the tournament.
“For about 70 minutes, we managed the ball very well and imposed ourselves,” Chelle said. “That’s the level we want to maintain.”
However, the coach was also honest enough to admit that the late Tunisian comeback exposed weaknesses that must be addressed if Nigeria are to go deep in the competition. The sudden loss of control and composure late in the game served as a reminder that progress remains a work in progress.
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“We still need to play a game that truly gives us confidence and clearly shows our ambitions,” he admitted. “There are positives in Tunisia’s comeback. It shows there is still work to do, things we must improve.”
Rather than viewing the scare as a setback, Chelle believes it could become a defining moment in Nigeria’s AFCON journey. He insists that surviving such pressure will only sharpen his squad’s focus and hunger.
“This kind of experience will keep me and my players motivated,” he concluded, “because we know we can be better.”
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For the Super Eagles, the victory not only delivered three crucial points but also sent a message across the tournament. Nigeria can dominate elite opposition, score freely, and still find lessons even in victory. As AFCON progresses, Chelle’s men will hope to turn those lessons into consistency, composure, and ultimately, continental glory.
