AFCON 2025
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named three players who impressed him the most in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final loss to Morocco.
The Atlas Lions ended the Super Eagles’ dream of winning a fourth title, prevailing via penalties after the regular time ended in a stalemate.
Having played so well enroute to the heavyweight clash against the host, the Super Eagles of Nigeria struggled for most part of the tie registering just two shots on target in 120 minutes.
Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their spot kicks as the Atlas Lions sealed a 4-2 win.
While speaking in an interview with on on RMC Sport’s After Foot, the Franco-Malian manager names three Super Eagles players that stood out for him.
He also spoke on why the Super Eagles struggled in the semi-final clash against the host in front of a packed Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.
“Calvin, you have the left-back Bruno Onyemaechi, who was having a great game. You have the right-back Bright, who was also impressive,” Chelle said.
“These players may have lost, but they gave everything. The question was whether I should stick to the original game plan or try to make changes and wait for them.
“But I wasn’t convinced that waiting would prevent us from conceding two or three goals.”
Reflecting on the intensity of the match, Eric Chelle added: “The stadium was full of spectators, it was madness. I had never experienced a match like this before; it was incredible.
“I wasn’t convinced that holding back would spare us further suffering, so we tried to press. But if you look at the match, after fifteen minutes, we couldn’t press effectively.”
Calvin Bassey was named in the official Team of the Tournament, alongside Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
