AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle Admits Super Eagles Fell Short Against Morocco, Plays Down Future Talk

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that his side lacked the movement and power needed to get over the line in their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Naija News reports that the Super Eagles of Nigeria bowed out on Wednesday night after a tense goalless draw ended 4-2 on penalties in favour of Morocco.

Speaking after the match, Eric Chelle said his team’s intensity without the ball was deliberate but acknowledged that the overall display fell below the standard set earlier in the competition.

“We played this match with high pressing, because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated,” Chelle said.

“From a technical point of view, the Super Eagles weren’t at the same level as we displayed in our other matches.

“I don’t want to say the reason was fatigue, but the truth is that we lacked movement and power.”

The 48-year-old coach was also quizzed about his future, with speculation swirling even before the start of the 2025 AFCON. Chelle declined to be drawn into the debate, stressing that his attention remains firmly on Nigeria’s next assignment.

“For now, I am still the coach of the Super Eagles,” he said.

“I have a game against Egypt and I want to win.”

Nigeria face Egypt in the third-place playoff at 5 p.m. on Saturday, a match Chelle insists is far from a formality.

Chelle also addressed his team selection and tactics, including the decision to replace suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi with Raphael Onyedika.

“This is not a question about one player, it’s about the group,” he said.

On the penalty shoot-out, Chelle defended his choice of takers after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed from the spot.

“We put Chukwueze for a penalties because the guys who kicked the penalties were the best in training,” he explained.