Éric Chelle has praised the chemistry, discipline, and adaptability of his players after Nigeria secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe to book their place in the Unity Cup final.
The Super Eagles produced an energetic and composed display at The Valley on Tuesday night, with Femi Azeez stealing the spotlight with a brilliant brace that sealed Nigeria’s passage into Saturday’s final.
The Millwall winger delivered an eye-catching performance in what was a youthful and experimental Nigerian side assembled by Chelle.
The Franco-Malian tactician handed debuts to eight players as part of his ongoing assessment of the squad ahead of future international competitions.
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Chibueze Oputa and Obinna Igboke, alongside match-winner Azeez, were all named in the starting lineup.
In the second half, Rafiu Durosinmi, Tosin Oyedokun, Owen Oseni, and Aderemi Adeoye were also introduced to earn their first appearances for the national team.
Despite the numerous changes and limited preparation time, Nigeria looked surprisingly organized and fluid throughout the encounter something that left Chelle highly impressed after the final whistle.
Speaking during his post-match press conference, the Super Eagles coach admitted he did not expect the team to gel so quickly after only two training sessions together.
“This game was good. The players worked a lot during the two days two training sessions of three hours each, so they worked a lot and deserved this victory,” Chelle said.
“We played with two systems in that game, 4-4-2 diamond and 4-2-3-1. I was happy because they played well. I was surprised because it seemed as though they had been playing together for six months or one year.
“The reality is that it was the first time. At the end of the first half, there was nothing to say.”
Nigeria’s tactical flexibility and attacking intensity caused problems for Zimbabwe throughout the contest, with Azeez’s movement and finishing proving decisive on the night.
However, Chelle was careful not to underestimate the opposition, acknowledging the quality and competitiveness of the Zimbabwean side despite the result.
“Zimbabwe is a good team with strong players and they played well in this game,” he added. “I am happy for my players. Congratulations to them.”
With the victory, the Super Eagles move one step closer to extending their dominance in the Unity Cup. Nigeria will now face either Jamaica or India in Saturday’s final as they chase a remarkable fourth consecutive title.
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