Chelle on Beating Ghana: Proud of the Fight, Aware of the Gaps

Despite Nigeria’s 2-1 triumph over Ghana in their Unity Cup showdown, head coach Eric Chelle didn’t shy away from highlighting the challenges his team faced—especially in the second half at London’s Gtech Community Stadium.

Strong First Half, Shaky Second

The Super Eagles raced to a 2-0 halftime lead, dominating early exchanges and creating several more chances. But the intensity dropped after the break, allowing Ghana to pull one back and test Nigeria’s composure late on.

Chelle: Dreaming of 90 Minutes of Pressure

In his post-match remarks, Chelle admitted his high-press system remains a work in progress:

“My philosophy is high pressure, but it's very difficult to apply for 90 minutes. My dream is for the team to press high the entire match—right now, it's impossible.”

Limited Time, Encouraging Signs

Chelle also underlined the limited preparation time he's had with the squad:

“Since I’ve been coach, we’ve had just seven or eight training sessions. But the players are learning. We’ve played three matches — two wins, one draw. We’re progressing.”

Pride in the Team

Despite second-half fatigue, the coach praised his players’ spirit:

“I’m proud of them because they fought. It was difficult, but I believe we deserved the victory.”

With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and 2025 AFCON on the horizon, Chelle’s Nigeria project is still in its early stages — but signs of a clear tactical vision are beginning to emerge.