Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed his satisfaction with the standard of play at the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), despite Nigeria’s 1-0 loss to Senegal in their opening match.
The tournament, which began last weekend, is a biennial competition exclusively for players who feature in their domestic leagues. This year’s edition is being co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Nigeria’s home-based Eagles are making a return to CHAN after missing out on the last two editions. Their comeback, however, began on a disappointing note following their narrow defeat to defending champions Senegal on Tuesday.
Despite the result, Chelle remains optimistic and praised the high-level competition and facilities.
“I am surprised about the intensity. There are a lot of good teams and a lot of quality. I think the pitches are very good, allowing for fast-paced and technical football. This would be a great CHAN competition,” he was quoted by CAFonline.
Chelle’s commendation highlights a broader recognition of the growing competitiveness of the CHAN tournament, which is often overshadowed by its bigger cousin, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
