Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle believes his side still have some things to improve on despite boasting a perfect record from the group stage of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Footynaija.com reports.
A heavily rotated Nigeria side cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win over 10-man Uganda as Raphael Onyedika scored twice in the second half to complement Paul Onuachu’s first half opener and consolidate previous wins over Tanzania and Tunisia in Group C.
Speaking after the game, an obviously delighted Chelle praised his team for their largely dominant display against the Cranes while also stressing the need for improvement in certain areas as they aim for a deep run in the tournament.
”Today it was a game to change and try to do another thing and I’m happy with the three goals but again we have to improve if we want to be ambitious,” the Super Eagles boss said in a post-match press conference.
“I’m happy with the performance of a lot of players in this team, the whole group. So now they’re giving me a really bad headache because I have to make choices; I have a lot of choices to make.
“That’s it, they proved to everyone that this is not a team of eleven players, that it is a group. So, that’s fine. The training sessions are going to be with a lot of intensity, and now it’s up to me to make the right choices.”
Where Nigeria need to improve
While Chelle will be absolutely pleased with the levels his team has showcased so far in the competition, especially in attack, one area of their game that obviously calls for concern is their seeming porosity at the back.
The Super Eagles managed just one clean sheet in six games prior to the AFCON and this poor defensive record has now continued in the tournament with Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda all finding joy against Nigeria’s back line.
As the competition enters the business end where a single goal could make all the difference, Chelle will know that he needs to come up with a solution to plug the Super Eagles’ leaking defense.
