Breaking News:We Made Mistakes but Were the Superior Side Says Chelle
In a post-match press conference, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle acknowledged that his team’s 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe was a setback, but maintained that they were the superior side on the pitch.
The result has left Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes hanging precariously in the balance, with the team languishing in fourth place in Group C with just seven points.
“We made some mistakes, but we were the best team on the pitch,” Chelle said, struggling to come to terms with the outcome.
“This is football, and it’s difficult for me to analyze the game right now. We’ll review it later and see where we went wrong.”
The Super Eagles had taken an early lead, but failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Zimbabwe to snatch a crucial equalizer. Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities, Nigeria’s profligacy in front of goal ultimately proved costly.
Chelle refused to lay the blame solely at the feet of his defenders, instead emphasizing that the entire team was responsible for the disappointing result.
“I don’t want to blame the defenders. We win together, we lose together. We’ll work on our mistakes and move forward,” Chelle regretted.
With time running out, Nigeria faces a daunting task in their remaining fixtures if they are to revive their World Cup qualification hopes. A dramatic turnaround is required if the Super Eagles are to bridge the six-point gap between themselves and group leaders South Africa.
As it stands, Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup appear to be slipping away, and Chelle’s team will need to regroup and refocus if they are to salvage their campaign.
