Eric Chelle has said it was passion that drove his Super Eagles players in their dominant 4-1 win against Gabon, in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs on Thursday.
Victor Osimhen netted a brace while Akor Adams and substitute Childera Ejuke were also on target as the Super Eagles outclassed their Gabonese counterparts.
Despite conceding a late goal from Osimhen’s Galatasaray teammate Mario Lemina, the Super Eagles were still able to score three goals in extra-time to secure the emphatic win.
Speaking in his post-match presser, Chelle said:“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.
Chelle said it is not over yet as they still have one more game in the African qualifying playoffs and hopefully they can secure the win before they can smile.
Also Read: 2026 WCQ Playoffs: Osimhen’s Goals Will Be Crucial Vs Gabon –Moreno
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will face Democratic Republic of Congo in the final on Sunday.
The Leopards booked their place after on 91 minutes through their captain Chancel Mbemba to beat Cameroon 1-0 in the second semi-finals.
By James Agberebi
5 Comments
Welldone @coachie, you have come to stay at least until after the AFCON and God willing take us to the WC. Impossible is nothing.
@Monkey Post that’s calling Turkish league Tolotolo league, have u Nt seen how ndidi game has improved since joining besiktas? That last chance that osimhen missed was due to his urgent released of the ball and he capped it up with a wonderful pass for ejuke goal. Dnt forget that he did all this despite been on yellow from the 6th minutes of the match.
Let’s be sincere here, if that PK shoutout that wasn’t given was against us, I won’t be happy with the ref. That was a wrong call by the ref. If u asked my candid opinion.
Congrats to the team.
The coach is surely a master of techniques.
But how fumbling Iwobi got to stay in the match for that long is just insane. The first two goals we scored in the extra time justifies the ineffectiveness of Iwobi.. it took defensive players like Frederick and Ndidi to show the much needed creativity and boldness to open up the defense.. We really missed Fisayo!
It is obvious that our unsung heroes are the forgotten ones who our local coaches (Finidi and Egu) ignored when they were even playing regularly.
Imagine Fredericks, Akor, Ejuke, Aro, are the heroes of our resurgence.
The coach should continue refreshing the team as I believe that only 50% of the old blocks should be considered for regular invitation (Nwabali, Bassey, Zaidu,Ajayi, Aina, Ndidi, Simon, Lookman, Fisayo, Chukwueze, Osi, Onyeka, Onyedika, and a much improved Iwobi)..
Proven ones like Fredericks, Akor, Agu, Ejjuke, Aro, and Tella should be integrated.
Good performers in Europe like Durosinmi, Ahanor, Ejaria, Kayode, and others should be considered for friendly matches.
Chelle said he’s trying to create an identity “so this is why we try every time to improve at every FIFA window.” Can somebody tell NFF to do likewise for super falcons? Ghana Queens fixed friendly on December 2nd with England as at September!
Meanwhile, Osimhen, your yellow card yesterday was reckless and needless oh even though I understood the passion after missing a “sitter”.
You are one yellow card away from missing the March playoff if we beat Congo DRC, if you are cautioned again next Sunday.
In fact, a foreign tabloid mentioned nearly our first team members are at risk including:
– Nwabali
– Obasogie (after that “pitch invasion” to give Osimhen his shirt. I wonder what Deo sees in him lol)
– Onyeka the tank
– Iwobi
– Bassey
– Onyemaechi
– Arokodare
Ndidi is missing out on Sunday.
The 4 important ones that should take caution against Congo DRC for me are Osimhen, Bassey, Iwobi and Onyeka.
Good luck guys