Eric Chelle admitted that Nigeria “made some mistakes” despite beating Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup, as the Super Eagles coach reflected on areas his side still needs to improve.
Speaking after the match, Chelle said his team showed quality but still lacked consistency in some phases of play. He stressed that the tournament is part of his rebuilding process for the national team and an opportunity to assess new players and tactical ideas.
Chelle had previously warned his players not to underestimate Zimbabwe national football team, noting that their earlier World Cup qualifier ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw for Nigeria. He said:
“We made some mistakes, but we were the better team on the pitch.”
The coach also refused to single out defenders for criticism after previous errors against Zimbabwe, insisting that football is a collective responsibility.
Nigeria’s Unity Cup performance has nevertheless given fans optimism, especially with several new and home-based players getting opportunities under Chelle as he reshapes the Nigeria national football team squad ahead of future competitions.
