Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has explained the secret of his team’s 4-1 win over Gabon in the first semi final of the world cup qualifiers playoff taking place in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Top striker Victor Osimhen fired a brace for Nigeria in extra time after goals from Jerome Akor and Chidera Ejuke had given Nigeria a 2-1 lead.
Speaking after the game, Chelle revealed that it was passion that drove his team to the big win, that has now taken to within one game of making it to the intercontinental playoff in Mexico next year.
“I am very proud of these guys (players) because every time they are focused on what I asked, what I want and it show what I want. The word today was the passion, during my speech it was about passion it was the working together to have the same thing”, the coach said in an audio made public by the official media channel of the Super Eagles.
He however said focus has now shifted to the second game against whoever they will meet in the final between Cameroon and Congo Dr, while also refusing to be dragged into the controversy that saw the players go on strike over unpaid bonuses.
“So they did it in today’s game but we have a game in two days maybe after the game we can smile. Since I came we try to work, to create an identity. The sport project is very important, the game project too”, he further explained.
“Like I said the most important is for our team to create an identity. The identity is how we play in defence and how we play in offense. So this is why we try every time to improve at every FIFA window. So now these guys they improve mentally, technically and they understand what I want to do for them”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
