Eric Chelle spent Friday night in Uyo explaining a win that didn’t look clean, after the Super Eagles came from a goal down to beat Madagascar 2-1 in their AFCON 2027 qualifier, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria fell behind in the 16th minute from a headed finish off a corner and spent the next half-hour wasting the better chances. George Ilenikhena, starting on debut with Victor Osimhen out, levelled in first-half stoppage time from Alex Iwobi’s pass.
The game was still level past the hour when Chelle took off Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams and sent on Moses Usor and Moses Simon. Usor needed only four minutes, as he finished Semi Ajayi’s break and gave Nigeria the three points.
The AC Milan winger had just won his 60th cap and had kept whipping balls into the box before the break. Chelle still made the change. Stanley Nwabali’s save at 1-1, when Rayan Raveloson ran through, kept the night alive long enough for that bench call to matter.
Why the two Moses came on
Chelle said Chukwueze was not injured. He wanted fresh runners once Madagascar sat in.
“It was a tactical decision because, as you know, he finished the first half well. So I felt he was a little bit tired, and I wanted to bring some energy into the team. This is why the two Moses are on the field,” the Super Eagles coach said.
He went further on what Simon and Usor give him
“They bring this energy, they bring this one-on-one. You need sometimes something crazy on the field, some people who can bring one-on-one, one against two, one against three. They did well.”
Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle React After Nigeria’s 2-1 Win Over Madagascar | Post-Match Presser pic.twitter.com/1jnNV7txO1
