AFCON Final: "I Would Have Stayed And Fought Without Walk Away"– Chelle

AFCON Final: "I Would Have Stayed And Fought Without Walk Away"– Chelle

Sampson Adedeji

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has stated that he would have chosen to remain on the pitch and continue the game rather than walk away, following the controversy surrounding Senegal’s withdrawal, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The French-born tactician made the remark while reacting to the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Committee to strip Senegal of their African Cup of Nations title.

Chelle emphasized that the rules of the game are clear and must be respected regardless of the circumstances.

“The rule is simple: any team that leaves the field without a valid reason is declared the loser. This isn't an opinion, it's the law,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of resilience and competitive spirit in football, noting that he would have handled the situation differently.

“In his place, I would have stayed, because the fighting spirit demands that you fight until the end,” Chelle added.

The CAF ruling has continued to generate reactions across the football world, with stakeholders divided over Senegal’s decision and the subsequent verdict by the Appeal Committee.