Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has challenged his players to respond immediately after Nigeria suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, Trybal News reports.
The loss in Bissau strengthened Guinea-Bissau’s position at the top of the group with six points, while Nigeria remain second on three points, leaving the Super Eagles with little room for further setbacks.
Chelle admitted that Guinea-Bissau were the better side on the night, particularly in terms of aggression, mentality and physicality.
They were more aggressive than us. When you try to play, to cross, or make a cross, you need to have this aggressiveness in your state of mind to make the difference,” Chelle said.
The coach also pointed to the condition of the playing surface and the hot weather as factors that made the contest difficult for his side, although he stressed that they were not excuses for the defeat.
Chelle said he attempted to alter Nigeria’s approach after the break by creating more one-on-one situations in wide areas, but the Super Eagles struggled to sustain the change.
We tried to go forward to bring something new with the one-on-one on the wide but you see after ten minutes we stopped. I don’t know why,” he said.
Despite the heavy defeat, Chelle insisted that Nigeria’s qualification hopes remain alive. The coach identified the two upcoming matches against Tanzania in November as crucial to the Super Eagles campaign.
We have two games against Tanzania in November, we have to win both games and after that, Guinea Bissau will come down to Uyo,” he said.
Chelle believes the Super Eagles can still turn the situation around, with further matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau providing opportunities to recover ground in the group.
I am very confident about my team. Today was not a good day for us. This is the first time that I see my team like that, so we will have to go forward,” he added.
The Franco-Malian coach also urged supporters to remain calm and continue backing the team as Nigeria attempt to recover from their worst setback of the campaign.
We have to stay focused and calm, we know our strengths and weaknesses and today was a bad day for us but I am still confident about my team and players,” Chelle concluded.
With Guinea-Bissau now on six points and Nigeria on three, the Super Eagles face a demanding path ahead, beginning with the two November encounters against Tanzania.
