Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has admitted he endured an anxious finale as Nigeria edged Tunisia 3–2 in a gripping Africa Cup of Nations encounter in Morocco, conceding that his side nearly squandered a commanding lead late in the game.
Speaking after the match, Chelle said the closing stages were particularly nerve-racking, noting that the final 15 minutes pushed him to the limit on the touchline.
The coach revealed he was visibly agitated as Tunisia mounted a late surge, stressing that his players had delivered an intense performance and deserved to see the game out comfortably.
Chelle said the difficulty of the contest was heightened by the pedigree of the opposition, describing Tunisia as one of the toughest teams on the continent and a serious benchmark for his squad.
He pointed out that Tunisia had not conceded a single goal during their World Cup qualifying campaign, adding that Nigeria scoring three times against such a disciplined side was a significant statement.
The Nigerian tactician also praised his team’s overall display, particularly their control of possession and ability to dictate the rhythm of the game for large periods.
According to Chelle, the Super Eagles dominated proceedings for about 70 minutes, managed the ball efficiently and imposed themselves in a manner he expects the team to sustain throughout the tournament.
However, he admitted that Tunisia’s late comeback exposed lapses that must be addressed, insisting the team still needs a performance that clearly reflects its ambitions at the competition.
Chelle stated that the scare would serve as a source of motivation rather than concern, saying the experience has reinforced his belief that both he and his players can raise their level as the tournament progresses.
