Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed his disappointment over Nigeria’s elimination in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but insists the team remains determined to finish the tournament on a high note.
Nigeria’s campaign was halted on Wednesday by host nation Morocco, who edged the Super Eagles 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time. The three-time African champions will now battle Egypt for the bronze medal at the Mohammed V Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Speaking to reporters, Chelle admitted the pain of falling short of his ambitions. “Honestly, I’m disappointed to be here,” he said. “I had big goals for this competition. After the defeat to Morocco, I encouraged my players to stay positive because they had an excellent tournament. In turn, they asked me to keep my focus ahead of Saturday’s match.”
The 48-year-old Malian coach, who has earned praise for Nigeria’s impressive showing in Morocco, stressed the importance of securing a medal before heading home. “We must return to Nigeria with third place,” he stated.
Looking beyond the immediate disappointment, Chelle also shared his vision for the future, hinting at squad renewal if he remains in charge after the tournament. “If God gives me the opportunity to continue as coach after AFCON, I would like to introduce new players into the team,” he added.