Chelle Applauds CHAN 2024 Quality Despite Super Eagles Defeat to Senegal

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has praised the standard of play at the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), despite Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 loss to defending champions Senegal in their opening match.

The tournament, which kicked off last weekend, is jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and exclusively features players who ply their trade in their respective domestic leagues. For Nigeria, this marks a long-awaited return to the competition after missing the last two editions.

While the Home-based Eagles couldn't secure a point in their first outing, Chelle remained upbeat, focusing instead on the positives observed in the broader tournament context.

“I am surprised about the intensity. There are a lot of good teams and a lot of quality,” Chelle told CAFonline. “I think the pitches are very good, allowing for fast-paced and technical football. This would be a great CHAN competition.”

A Tournament Worth Watching

Chelle’s remarks come at a time when CHAN is once again proving its value — offering a rare but crucial spotlight on Africa’s local-based footballers. From tactical discipline to individual flair, the competition is rapidly shedding the tag of “second-tier,” showing that homegrown talents are more than capable of delivering thrilling football.

For Nigeria, the defeat to Senegal is a setback, but certainly not the end. The focus now shifts to regrouping ahead of the next fixture — and with Chelle at the helm, the belief within the camp appears strong.

Opinion: A Loss, But Also a Lesson

While results matter, tournaments like CHAN also serve a larger purpose — development, exposure, and identity. The Super Eagles’ return to the CHAN stage should be seen as an opportunity to rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s local league system, by giving players a platform to rise beyond borders.

Chelle’s optimism sends a powerful message: sometimes, the real victory lies in rediscovering potential — even in defeat.