Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Reflects on Early CHAN 2024 Exit Despite Congo Win

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has reflected on Nigeria’s disappointing campaign at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where the team failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Despite Nigeria’s rich footballing pedigree, the Eagles crashed out early after suffering back-to-back defeats against Senegal and Sudan in their opening fixtures. The side, however, ended on a positive note with a 2-0 victory over Congo, thanks to second-half goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi.

Speaking after the win, Chelle commended his players for their resilience.

“They played with honour and showed what they could really do. Our only big regret remains the heavy defeat to Sudan, but that’s football,” he said, as quoted by CAFonline.

Opinion
Nigeria’s exit from CHAN 2024 is a sobering reminder that pedigree alone does not guarantee success on the continent. While the victory over Congo was a morale booster, the damage had already been done with the early defeats, particularly the humbling loss to Sudan.

That said, Chelle’s words carry weight. The squad showed flashes of quality, but consistency—and perhaps preparation—remains Nigeria’s biggest hurdle in competitions of this nature. With the CHAN designed exclusively for home-based players, it should ideally serve as a platform to groom fresh talent and deepen the pool for the senior national team.

The lesson here is simple: early lapses can ruin even the strongest campaigns, but every setback offers an opportunity to rebuild. The fight and determination shown in the final match prove that the talent is there; what’s needed is better structure, sharper mentality, and a stronger winning culture.

In the end, Nigeria’s CHAN 2024 outing may be remembered less for the disappointment of the group-stage exit, and more for the wake-up call it delivers: African football is evolving fast, and to stay at the top, Nigeria must evolve with it.