Chelle charges Eagles for back-to-back Tanzania victories

A file copy of Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has challenged his players to win again against Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday, insisting that the 3-1 victory in Uyo counts for little unless it is repeated in the return leg.

Nigeria came from 1-1 at half-time at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, with substitute Tolu Arokodare scoring twice after the break. The result lifted the Super Eagles to second in Group L with six points from three games, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who were held 1-1 by Madagascar on Thursday.

Tanzania are already through to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar to compete for the one remaining place.

Chelle was frustrated by the equaliser, which came after Alhassan Yusuf had put Nigeria ahead inside two minutes. He said his side handed Tanzania a way back into the game.

“They have nothing, and you give them something to eat. So they took it,” he said at his post-match press conference.

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The coach was quick to turn attention to the second leg.

“We have to go to Tanzania to win this game. So I am happy for the players because, you know, it is not easy. But the reality is nothing. We have the second game after. The most important is the next game,” he said.

Chelle also said the team had set out to bounce back after the 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau. “We played badly against Guinea-Bissau. We spoke to the players after the game, and our motivation was to bounce back. We played under pressure. This victory is good, but it is important that we think about the next game, which we must also win,” he said.

Ademola Lookman, who set up Yusuf’s opener, was withdrawn in first-half stoppage time and replaced by Moses Simon. Chelle said the forward took a knock on his knee, and he has since been ruled out of the return leg. Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick, who both suffered cramps in Uyo, have reportedly recovered.

The Super Eagles face Tanzania at the Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar, on Tuesday, November 17, with kick-off at 2pm Nigerian time.