Nigerian head coach Eric Chelle has reiterated that his primary focus is achieving success with Nigeria, after being named Coach of the Round for the group stage at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Morocco, SportPremi reports.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Super Eagles in the buildup to the tournament following their defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the playoffs for the FIFA World Cup, the 48-year-old has made the team much better since his arrival.
The three-time African champions finished their group campaign with a 100% record following victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
They also scored eight times during the three matches – the most of any team at the tournament and have been one of the most entertaining sides to watch.
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman was also named in the CAF Group Stage Best XI after contributing two goals and two assists in two appearances.
Nigeria will now return to the Fez Stadium where they will face Mozambique in the Round of 16 next Monday, eyeing progress to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
CAF Team of the Group Stage:
Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt)
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco), Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Yahia Attiat-Allah El Abdi (Morocco)
Midfielders: Brahim Diaz (Morocco), Carlos Baleba (Cameroon), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Coach: Eric Chelle (Nigeria)
Everything Chelle said after CAF award
Eric Chelle guided Nigeria to three wins from three during the group stages and earned the prestigious CAF Coach of the group stage for his tactical brilliance.
However, the former Mali head coach is not distracted by the accolade and is focused on achieving success with the Super Eagles, beginning with overcoming Mozambique in their Round of 16 clash on Monday.
“I am happy about this recognition. But I will like to give the credit to my backroom staff who work tirelessly to make the team function. This development is a good motivation for me, the players and the entire squad.
“However, this is not why we are here. We are here for something bigger and better. We will not get ahead of ourselves and think we are the best. We will continue to work hard and stay focused for every match as it comes.
There is a lot of pressure, for sure, but I’m actually excited about that. Since I came, I have felt good. The town is perfect, the hotel is perfect, the atmosphere is perfect. We are calm”, Chelle admitted.
On the need for the team to improve
“Sometimes it’s very good, sometimes very bad, this is football. We work every day, we work hard, and the group works hard.
We have to improve again if we want to be ambitious. Even if the weather is difficult because it’s cold, we continue to work hard”, the Super Eagles gaffer concluded.
