AFCON 2025
Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has explained how the Super Eagles fought back to avoid defeat against Russia on Tuesday evening in Nizhny Novgorod.
The Malian manager admitted that Russia had big moments in both halves but made tactical changes in the second half to help the team earn a draw.
Nigeria came back from a two-goal deficit to force a draw in an enthralling six-goal thriller.
Kelechi Iheanacho, on his return to the team after over a year, gave the Super Eagles the lead 10 minutes into the match with a brilliant left-footed strike from range.
However, Russia took control from then on. Akhmat Grozny winger Lechi Sadulaev restored parity on the half-hour mark while CSKA midfielder Matvey Kislyak gave the hosts the lead before half-time.
Atlanta United’s Aleksey Miranchuk added to Russia’s tally a few minutes into the break to give Russia a 3-1 lead.
While speaking to the media, Chelle revealed Russia were better in certain moments of the game
“This is a draw. We have a moment at the beginning of the first half. They had big moments at the end of the first half,” Chelle said.
“This is why they scored two goals. In the beginning of the second half it was the same.”
Chelle went on to reveal that the Super Eagles were able to find solutions with the introduction of strikers in the second half.
“We found a solution because tactically we changed something about our strikers. At the end of the second half, they didn’t find a solution and that’s why we scored two goals in transition,” he explained.
Eric Chelle praised the second half performance of the Super Eagles as they came from behind to earn the draw against Russia courtesy of goals from
“The second half of my team was very good. I applauded my players. And like I said to my guy on my left side, the hero of the game is the football”
Eric Chelle will look to rejig his squad and hope for an improved outing ahead of the next window of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as Super Eagles take on Tanzania in a must win double-header.
