After World Cup Heartbreak, Chelle Highlights Positives in Super Eagles’ Performance

After World Cup Heartbreak, Chelle Highlights Positives in Super Eagles’ Performance

By Sheriff Oyeniyi 

Super Eagles head coach Éric Sékou Chelle has commended his players for their determination and character despite Nigeria’s painful penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 World Cup play-off.

In remarks published by The Punch on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Chelle said the team “fought hard from start to finish” and deserved recognition for their effort, even though the loss ended Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the World Cup.

The decisive match, marked by intensity and high stakes, saw both nations battle fiercely for a place at the global tournament. Chelle noted that his players remained focused throughout, handled the pressure with maturity, and displayed the right competitive attitude.

He praised the squad’s unity, discipline, and mental resilience, stressing that their performance demonstrated the Super Eagles’ ability to stand toe-to-toe with any opponent. While acknowledging the disappointment of the result, the coach said the qualities shown during the campaign would be crucial as the team continues to rebuild.

Chelle appealed to supporters for patience, assuring them that Nigeria is progressing in a positive direction. He expressed confidence that the lessons learned from the setback would help shape a stronger and more cohesive squad.

He urged fans not to lose hope, reminding them that adversity is part of football. Chelle emphasized that the team will recover and improve, insisting that the players represented the nation with passion and pride despite the defeat.