After clinching the 2025 Unity Cup in a nail-biting shootout against Jamaica, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has urged his squad to improve mentally and tactically to reclaim global dominance.
Chelle praised the team’s adaptability but stressed that winning alone isn’t enough; Nigeria must develop unity, fitness, and mental resilience ahead of their friendly clash with Russia.
Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has emphasized the need for significant improvements in two key areas, mental strength and tactical cohesion, if Nigeria is to regain its status as a dominant force in international football. This comes after the team’s hard-fought victory over Jamaica in the final of the 2025 Unity Cup on Saturday.
Nigeria defeated Jamaica 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, England. The win followed their earlier 2-1 triumph over Ghana in the opening match of the mini-tournament.
Despite the double victory and eventual trophy lift, Chelle was quick to point out that the performance was far from perfect. Speaking at the post-match press conference, he noted that while the squad has immense talent, they still lack the mental resilience and physical edge needed to compete consistently at the highest level.
“There are many things that we need to improve,” Chelle admitted. “We made two mistakes today, and we need to step up if we are serious about qualifying for the World Cup. The players are talented great strikers, wingers but we must improve mentally and physically to become a warrior squad.”
The Franco-Malian tactician added that the team has been gradually adapting to his tactical vision, including flexible formations during matches. He highlighted their ability to switch seamlessly from a diamond setup to 4-2-3-1 and later to a 4-4-2 as evidence of growing tactical maturity.
“I’m happy with their spirit,” he said. “We’re not there yet, but we’re building something. I want a team that can defend and attack as one.”
Chelle also acknowledged that squad rotation and the long European club season affected the players’ cohesion and energy levels. With several players arriving fatigued, blending new faces into the squad posed additional challenges. “It wasn’t easy bringing everyone together. Some were tired, and some are new to the system, but I believe we’re progressing,” he stated.
Looking ahead, the coach said the upcoming friendly against Russia on June 6 in Moscow will be a stern test of the team’s readiness and ambition. Despite missing star names like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Ademola Lookman, Chelle is optimistic and insists Nigeria is going for a win.
“Our aim is to win every match. That’s the mindset I push to the players, we must show the world what Nigerian football is about.”
Meanwhile, Russian coach Valery Karpin downplayed any advantage from Nigeria’s missing stars. Speaking to Komsomolskaya Pravda, Karpin dismissed claims that the Super Eagles were fielding a weakened side.
“People are saying Nigeria is bringing a second team just because a few top players are out. But they still have quality. We’re also without key players like Golovin, Zakharyan, Barinov, and Diveev. Every team has absences,” he said.
With both teams eyeing momentum ahead of crucial international fixtures later in the year, Thursday’s friendly promises to be more than just a warm-up; it’s a battle of depth, desire, and tactical evolution.
