Eric Chelle hopes to win more trophies with the Super Eagles after guiding the team to win the Unity Cup invitational tournament in London.
The three-time African champions defeated Jamaica’s Reggae Boys 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling final tie at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford on Saturday night.
Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze were on target for Nigeria in the game.
The Reggae Boys got their goals through Kaheim Dixon, and Jonathan Russell.
“In reality, this is my first trophy as a coach,” Chelle said after the game.
“When I was a player, I won trophies, but this is my first as a coach. I hope with this, I can bring more trophies for Nigeria.”
Chelle also spoke about the timing and purpose of the Unity Cup.
“In the last press conference, I spoke about my initial thoughts on this tournament. To be honest, I wasn’t in full agreement with it at first because it’s the end of the season. It’s difficult to bring in our players — they’ve had a long, tiring campaign,” added the Malian .
“But then I thought about it again and said, ‘Okay, at least I get to be with my players,’ and that made me happy.
“The second thing is that we have an important goal in September. So I saw this as an opportunity to give many players a chance to show what they can do. And I’m really happy and proud of them because, in just two or three training sessions, they worked really hard. That’s the reality.
“During this tournament, we scored goals, we created chances, and we showed some very good things in our game. But of course, we still need to work. We have weaknesses. In today’s game, for instance, we made 22 mistakes — that’s a lot.
“We need to improve, to step up as a group and as a team, especially if we want to qualify for the World Cup.”
Read Also:Unity Cup: We Expected A Tough Game Against Jamaica –Simon
The Super Eagles dominated the game against the more physical Jamaicans.
The 47-year-old reflected on how he set up his team before and during the game.
“If you rewatch today’s game, you’ll see we started with a diamond formation. Around the 25th or 30th minute in the first half, we switched to a 4-2-3-1, and later we played a 4-4-2. I think the players stayed focused throughout,” he stated.
At the end of the day, I believe we deserved to win this tournament.”
Chelle also praised his players for their right character during the Unity Cup.
“Right now, I can say that my players have a great spirit and a strong mindset. That makes me happy. We’ll keep working and thinking about our game project,” he declared.
“The most important thing for me is that we play together — both in defence and offence. We need to improve all the time, mentally and physically. We must become warriors on the pitch.”
By Adeboye Amosu
21 Comments
Omo I don fall in love with dessers o.. people like omonaija has been saying I couldn’t pay attention…And thats also because the Scottish league is not as televised as others so I don’t follow…
Omo dude plays football with his head..those kind soft football..soft work with fans almost sure of something productive at the end….he is not really the physical, gragra akpu footballer like their osimhen.. he does it easily, effortlessly and it’s so beautiful to watch him…
Omo with players like their dessers in the team we will do well in international competitions like the world cup where you need more of intelligent play rather than akpu football where most African teams always go out in the group stage…
Shout out to chukwueze too he gave his all…his dazzling skills is becoming mature and purposeful…
I agree with this observation. Chukwueze showed maturity
Chelle will succeed as SE coach because he is doing everything right and most importantly admitting to the team’s errors as well. Nigeria is blessed to have him. Also I want to Congratulate players like Sodiq fredricks ogbu and etcetera for their performances in this tournament even as debutants. Football is coming back to Nigeria with Chelle at the helm!
Of course, Nigeria is lucky to have Chelle……we dodged a bullet by not listening to your cries for a perennial expert at showing teams the way to the 2nd division.
To God be the glory. Congratulations, Nigerians, and a happy new month.
However, I would like to congratulate Eric Chelle for his achievement in the Super Eagles.
I want to congratulate the players and the staff of the Super Eagles. I’m proud of you all.
Hmmm. Let me tell you the “Koko the fact kę.
There is still much work to be done in the Super Eagles, but the fact that I’m seeing progress with what the new gaffer is doing, I’m happy and I believe he’s cooking something fantabulously for Nigeria.
More so, I am happy with what I have been saying all this while, and it has eventually happened.
People should stop judging players based on the league they play in.
Rather, consider the qualities, work rate of the players, and capabilities.
There is one player in the MLS league that NFF did not let Eric Chelle know about. His name is Nwobodo.
That guy that guy will make our midfield solid and compact. We all know Nwobodo for his capability.
But some believe if you don’t play in the top league, you are not good enough. Is that true, ba? Capital NO.
I hope we all saw Desser’s capability in the Unity Cup tournament.
That should change the mentality that if you don’t play in a higher league, you are not good enough.
I hope Eric Chelle would also change and consider the quality of the players rather than the league the players play in. On the other hand, the coach should balance ho judgment on what the players can offer Super Eagles.
Hmmm, bia. One thing I don’t like about us, the Nigerians, is that we don’t appreciate ourselves. People are shanty Dessers and Nwabali names now, but Nigerians have forgotten I, omo9ja, who worked really hard days, months, and years to call you people’s attention to Dessers and Nwabali superiority. God, I give you all the glory. I’m proud of myself, omo9ja, and I think I deserve more accolades from you people of Naija kę.
I thank God and I am very elated that whenever Nigerians call on Cyriel
Kolawole Dessers And Chief Bobo Nwabali, omo9ja name will ring the bell in Nigerian’s minds.
Out of over “223,804,632” people of Nigerians, only “MONKEY POST” has recognized and appreciated me. Thank you, MONKEY POST; God bless you and every one of us. I hope you are seeing what I have been saying for years about Dessers, right?
If you could see that, how much more Eguavoen has yet to alter a word about Dessers? Ideye, Mutiu Adepoju, and now Omeruo have praised the goal-puncher, but for other reasons, I have yet to see Eguavoen and others on this platform who have criticized the innocent Dessers before to congratulate him now. I guess Cyriel Kolawole Dessers have put them where they belong ba? Lol.
Cyriel Dessers is out of reach while Eguavoen and NFF have no choice but to face off.
NFF and Eguavoen must go if we want the best for the Super Eagles.
All in all, Eric Chelle and his troops have delivered. Congratulations to Nigeria. Congratulations to Africa. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja, I must admit you were the biggest campaigner to give Dessers another chance in the SE. You were consistent with your calls, even after some of us grew cold or indifferent after his unimpressive outing under Finidi. I guess Finidi’s tactics didn’t suit him well.
Under Chelle, Dessers showed a real striker’s instinct, was a constant threat in the 18 yard and a fresh breath from the anonymity of players like Boniface and Onuachu.
Sad Ifeanyi Nwobodo’s combative midfield talent has been left to waste away in the MLS and I doubt age is still his friend.
Just looking against the Russia friendly list and saw Osimhen and Dessers are missing. The likes of Boniface, Sodiq, and Tella are in. I wish it was the reverse.
Thank you, Kel. You see gentleman, we haven’t seen enough of Dessers in the Super Eagles yet. How I wish he could still make the list so that he can show us more of his talent to the world, but again, they decided to commit his name for the Russia match.
Let’s see what the squad can do against Russia and the world will definitely decide.
Now that the whole world has seen a bit of Kolawole and believes he has what it takes to be involved, the Super Eagles will be more comfortable for him to express himself. Nigerian Fans are putting pressure on NFF to see more of Cyriel Dessers in the national team.
Yes, Oshimen and Dessers were the names that were not included in the squad for the Russia match. I fought the list of players when it first came out because the list was based on corruption from Eguavoen and NFF. Although Oshimen, Lookman, Bassey, Ekong and Iwobi needed to be rested so that the gaffer could try other players, to my surprise, some of our best players were not included on the list for the Russia match. It is a shame. Fingers crossed. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Nacho, Boniface and Umar Sodiq were not close to Dessers achievement this season and when we are talking our inform strikers of ours now, Dessers must make the list.
That list says a lot about the current NFF and Eguavoen.
God has given us another chance to make it to the World Cup, but with the way NFF and Eguavoen are going about the list of the Super Eagles players, can we make it to the World Cup?
Can we rely on Boniface, Musa and Umar Sadiq when we have the better options?
NFF and Eguavoen are more concerned about receiving the brown envelopes rather than World Cup ticket.
I will blame Eric Chelle for this. He should stand his ground if we have to go to the World Cup.
@Omo9ja
I have to appreciate your resilience by standing on your conviction about Dessers.
It’s always good to stand on principles and to see such succeed is a good feeling.
Though I acknowledge his quality, I was one of those that lost hope in Dessers performing in the Super Eagles based on his past underwhelming precedence in the national team. But based on current performance, Dessers MUST be part of that team. In fact, I am sticking my neck out to say, with the exception of Osimhen, he is the best national team forward we have right now.
Though there are lot of errors to be corrected, I am proud to say that Chelle is making a lot of right decisions. You can see his touch on Chukwueze and Ndidi. They feel renewed (no pun intended). His tactical influence on both players has given them the freedom to really express themselves. And they both flourished.
What I like more about Chelle is his willingness to take risk, in formation, in game switch, tactics and player position. ıf you don’t take risk, you never learn and if you don’t learn, you never know. You never improve. He took the risk on the youngster who happened to be a late invitation, Benjamin Fredericks. And we all saw how positive that turned out. Now we have a gem in our hand. He took the chance on Agu. now we got an experienced left back who is young as well and can actually play.
Chelle has also brought out the zeal to want to play for Nigeria. We saw the determination from everyone wanting to win. I appreciate that mojo.
That said, ı hope those clamouring for homebased players can finally give it a rest. The likes of Alimi and the most hyped Papa Daniel didn’t really ‘wow’ anyone. They were manageable at best. They were given much time than a Chrisantus Uche, who did enough to show his class. In fact, ı dare say, Sodiq was our weakest link in both matches as all our goals were conceded starting from his flank. He simply doesn’t have the technicality and speed to play as a wing back. He isn’t besting Osayi soon not to talk of Aina.
So please enough for this home-based call at least till the league gets its act right. I stand to be corrected, but currently, the best players from the Homefront are mostly found in the academies. So, we should rather focus on getting the best quality out there, and it goes without saying, they generally play abroad. ı am looking to see what a player like Anthony Dennis of Goztepe can offer us in the midfield. We should also be focus on convincing the foreign-born players (like Agu) who can improve us and are willing to play; the likes of Adarabioyo, Chukwuemeka, Ugochukwu et al.
But for now, I am excited to see how this develops. The Unity cup was an eye opener.
I disagree with you, Ismaila was one of our best players against Ghana, Alimi did well playing with Dessers in that match too.
So, the home based didn’t do bad at all.
God bless you sir sir, Ghana did not beat us was the work of God. that number should not come close to our national team. Who are they going to drop for him? is it Osayi or Ola, Ebuchi or who?
please the home base are not close to making team C of the eagles not to talk of the main team, unless we don’t want to progress
I don’t really understand all this hype about Cyriel Dessers. To be honest, 99% of the players to this tournament delivered the goods.
Players that have been heavily criticed – like Chukwueze, Ndidi, Simon, and Ajayi – all stood up to be counted. Rookies like Fredrick, Ogbu, Felix Agu and some homebase players all produced commendable performances.
I don’t see why Dessers should be singled out.
It was, what I want to call, the underdog tournament for certain Super Eagles players where rejected stones because the cornerstones.
From the place of personal taste, choice and preference, I will still place some players ahead of Dessers in Coach Chelle’s 2 man attack if they are all fit and firing.
Osihmen, I think will function better with a visionary Iheanacho by his side. Then, there Terem Moffi. Also, there is Ademola Lookman whom I will rather play as a support striker. I will never write off Paul Onuachu as we know that he mainly thrives with 2 strikers up front.
Then you have Josh Maja and Sadiq Umar. Even Flying Eagles sensation Kparobo Arierhi and Super Eagles revelation Tolu Arokodare are vying for a place.
I am only waiting for Victor Boniface to explode like Dessers did in this Unity Cup tournament to see how Super Eagles fans will reappraise his capability. I will make a bold statement that we have a superstar in the making in Victor Boniface.
Even Joe Aribo has been known to play and play well as a support striker.
Well done to Dessers, he had a fabulous tournament along with others. But it is a quantum leap to leapfrog him above other lethal strikers (who were not present in this tournament).
including the guy that wear the number 2 jersey? my boss you are expose and more knowledgeable than what you are saying. all the goals scored were his side, there were no effort from him to stop any ball from his angle. Imagine unknown Jamaica player turn him to nobody, them imagine other professional players. Who will they drop for him, is it Ola, Osayi or Ebuchi?
in the midfield who to drop for the home base: Ndidi, Uche, Onyeka, Iwobi, Onyedika.
you complain of Desser, please which wath did Boniface, Moffi, Saqi, Awoniyi ever give the type of his performance? lets called a spade a spade
@Deo am surprised! You of all people? You seem to be the only one (Nigerian) in the whole world who is not pleased with dessers performance…
And you are even putting Boniface and what have you ahead of dessers?
Really? It seems you gat some personal beef with him..
And did I read somebody saying dessers gat ‘alot’ of errors to work on?
Omo for me that guy is good to go and should be paired with osimhen or deputised him…
The only complain I see in him is the strength/energy or rugged nature that he lacks…And that one no be by force for a striker…players are unique and different….
This is the Monkey post we know not the one that has been teasing us for a while now. I agree with you on Dessers being our 2nd striker after Osimhen. To add, he has foot work as well, and can step back a bit to play from the middle, like what he did when Tolu came in.
Mr Hush,
Cut Sodiq Ismail some slack – he performed very well. Those 2 goals owed more to shortcomings from Frank Onyeka than anyone could have expected.
You see, one of Onyeka’s responsibilities in Chelle’s tactical set up is support the centre defense by slotting in to make interceptions when the occasion calls for it.
I have to be honest, he performed this role well, for most part. One crunching sliding tackle from the back, just borderline box 18 against Ghana readily comes to mind.
But against Jamaica, he was agonisingly milliseconds late to intercept the low cross for the first goal. And for the second, Frederick had man-marked an opposition striker and Ogbu had man-marked another. It was now left to Onyeka and Felix Agu to combine and communicate in shutting out the eventual scorer, which they failed to do spectacularly.
That was why Ogbu was incandescent in his annoyance at Onyeka and Felix Agu after the Jamaican stabbed home the second goal.
The right fullback of the Super Eagles has been problematic of late. Ghana’s only away goal that knocked us out of world cup qualification, the only goal that Tunisia scored to knock us out for the Afcon in the round of 16 and the goal that denied us Afcon trophy against Ivory Coast, all passed through that right wing, all with Ola Aina holding the fort.
So, Sodiq”s shortcomings should be viewed with that in mind.
Sodiq offers something different from Aina: He is more direct, he doesn’t beat about the bush with possession, he is also offensively minded and his old fashioned crosses are not anachronistic to modern day tactics as they still cause problems in opposition box 18.
However, just like retired Holland fullback Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Sodiq is hopelessly slow. To compound this problem, his recovery rate is truly bad.
But, these can be addressed with workarounds and better support from his wingers and centre back colleagues.
Whereas Aina tends to underlap deep, Sodiq overlaps wide. Aina has excellent take-on abilities whilst Sodiq just moves with the ball in space to cross. Sodiq will release the ball quicker than say Aina which suits centre forwards like Onuachu, Osihmen and Maja – those poachers.
I think Sodiq has a place in the main Super Eagles. He is now our 3rd choice fullback with a unique set of skills that can come in handy and weaknesses that can be managed .
why did does goals came from the other side, rather from his side? what effort did he put to prevent his marker from given those cross? how can you explain three goals from his side?
first against Ghana, the other two against lowly rated Jamaica? if we must promote home base it should be the best and not the ones that will later give us high blood pressure in a tensed match
@deo, This is brilliant, many thanks for this above explanation and analysis with spot light in the below quote. ”
”But against Jamaica, he was agonisingly milliseconds late to intercept the low cross for the first goal. ” He really tried to stop this you can see this from his reaction
Also that:
”Sodiq offers something different from Aina: He is more direct, he doesn’t beat about the bush with possession, he is also offensively minded and his old fashioned crosses are not anachronistic to modern day tactics as they still cause problems in opposition box 18.”
I will also add that those kind of crosses was last seen in the Super Eagles in the days of Finidi from Finidi to Yekini”
Also:
Congratulations to all the debutant, the homebase players and the entire squad in the Super Eagles for winning the Unity Cup, they have already made name for themselves and made us proud, after many years of waiting for a Trophy at the senior level, a Trophy is still a Trophy . Congratulations also to the entire coaching crew. Well done
I don’t think Papa Daniel had an underwhelming performance against Ghana.I wouldn’t say he was spectacular either because i’m getting the jabs from a few write ups here!My friend Papafem threw the first jab haha..
Notwithstanding,i don’t think he buckled to the task.The midfield rather buckled in his absence as he was sobbed off along with his midfield partner Frank Onyeka.Daniel,Frank and Ndidi held strongly in the first half,he wasn’t great but he put up a commendable shift.He will get better with more exposure the talent is there no doubt..
Meanwhile,Eric Chelle has done well so far and seem to know his craft.
He possesses strong leadership and interpersonal skills and exudes credibility..
I will trust his judgement going forward and wishing the super eagles good-luck for the future…
‘ ….Sodiq is hopelessly slow. To compound this problem, his recovery rate is truly bad.’
Aptly stated@deo. That’s my problem with Sodiq. And my worry is, I feel he has reached his ceiling. So, for me, he simply doesn’t cut it for the Super Eagles. Good but not good enough. I am being factual and respectful. This is the Super Eagles, we should be aiming for the best quality not manageable.
Hence the reason I stated that none of the home based ‘wowed’ me. Never stated that the likes of Papa Daniel, Alimi or Sodiq were bad players, I simply said, they were manageable at best. And for the many Nigerian talents out there playing in their positions, we can do better for the Eagles.
And @deo
I think the reason most are praising Dessers’ work is because of how often he had been criticised in the past. In fact, he had been thrown to the doldrums. So not much was expected from him. That much was seen as he wasn’t invited to the ‘main team’ to face Russia. And he did prove a lot wrong. And as I opined, till the likes of Boniface, Tolu, Sadiq etc. do something better in the Eagles jersey, Dessers should deputise Osimhen.
I do agree with you on Iheanacho playing as a supporting Striker in a double forward formation. I think Kelz would do well playing alongside Osimhen. He’s really technical and brings a different variety. No one in the team plays like him.
Anyway, these are all subjective, my personal opinion based on my observation.
Let’s see what the future brings. Whatever it is. ı am excited by Chelle and this new set up. Loads of suspense in the most positive way.
I’m not really impressed with the home based players performances. Nothing wowed me about their outings. Except for Ismaila’s crosses and I believe we have better options.
I just like the fact that the tournament allows the home based players the exposure some of them might need to step up and also preparing for the CHAN.
Until I see how they perform at the CHAN tournament I can’t vouch for any of them to be called into the main SuperEagles for next WorldCup qualifiers and the AFCON in Morocco.
For a 19 year old to be the best defender on the pitch shows that our football academies are the only options to get special talents. Agu was also assured in his debut.
Kudos to the coach for the gamble and buy did it pay off? I’m sure from now on he will be keeping an eye out for young Nigerian players doing well in some youth teams in Europe.
Overall, it was a fantastic tournament and lively atmosphere. Let’s see how they perform against the Russians even though Chelle is already on the right track no matter the outcome.