Nigeria head coach, Eric Chelle, don talk say di Super Eagles bin struggle for di second half of dia 2-1 win over Ghana for di semi-final of di 2025 Unity Cup wey dem play for Gtech Community Stadium for London. Di coach say na because of di fast-paced first half wey tire dem.
Di Super Eagles start di match like fire, dem dominate di first half and lead 2-0 sharp-sharp. Cyriel Dessers score one smart goal — im third international goal — and Ghana player Razak Simpson nack own goal after Semi Ajayi header am.
But for second half, everything change. Ghana Black Stars come back strong, begin press high and create plenty chances. Na there Nigeria begin lose energy and no fit play like di way dem start.
Chelle, wey na di new coach of di Super Eagles since earlier this year, talk say na tiredness cause di wahala. According to di Franco-Malian coach, di way im like make im team dey press high for field na heavy work for di players.
“My philosophy be say I wan make my team press high for field, but di system hard for di players,” Chelle yan after di match.
“My dream na make we dey press for full 90 minutes, but e dey impossible like this. So, we need work, we need improve.”
Dis kind thing don happen before when Nigeria draw with Zimbabwe for World Cup qualifier for Uyo — dem take lead but later tire and lose control.
Chelle believe say with more training and time, di players go sabi im style well and go fit hold ground till end of game.
“Since I don become coach, we don train like seven or eight times only. We don play three games — two wins and one draw. We need improve. We need work. Di players need understand wetin I want,” e talk.
“I feel say we play well for first half, but second half my boys don tire. But I proud of dem — dem fight well. E hard, but I see say we deserve di win.”
With dis win, Super Eagles don enter di final of di 2025 Unity Cup, where dem go face Jamaica. Di Reggae Boyz beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 for di other semi-final.
Di final go be correct ending to dis friendly tournament for London, and Chelle young team go wan use am show say dem ready with better silverware.
