Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has attributed his team’s commanding 4-1 victory over Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs to the sheer passion displayed by his players.
Nigeria dazzled in the encounter, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice, while Akor Adams and substitute Chidera Ejuke added their names to the scoresheet.
Although Osimhen’s Galatasaray teammate Mario Lemina pulled one back for Gabon late in the game, the Super Eagles powered through extra-time, netting three goals to seal a resounding win.
Reflecting on the performance during his post-match press conference, Chelle expressed his delight with the players’ commitment.
“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.”
He stressed that the job is far from finished, noting that the team must stay focused with one more crucial match ahead in the African qualifying playoffs.
“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.”
Nigeria will now battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday’s final. The Leopards advanced after captain Chancel Mbemba struck a stoppage-time winner to hand them a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the other semi-final.
