Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has admitted the Super Eagles are still a work in progress despite their thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia, warning that key weaknesses must be fixed before Tuesday’s Group C clash with Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles climbed to the top of the group after edging the Carthage Eagles in Fes on Saturday night, strengthening Nigeria’s title credentials with a performance that mixed authority, attacking flair and late anxiety.
Goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman put Nigeria firmly in control, before Tunisia struck twice from set pieces to turn a comfortable evening into a tense finale. While Chelle praised his side’s dominance for large spells, he was clear that improvements are needed — particularly in the closing stages of matches.
“It was a great win,” Eric Chelle declared.
“My team deserved this victory. We had 70% ball possession and for 75 minutes we were the best team on the pitch.
“We improved on our first game (vs Tanzania), which we won.
“We did some mistakes, like the first game. I hope the third game will be better than the second game.
“We will have to improve with every game.”
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Positives galore for Chelle’s Eagles as history is made in Fes
There was plenty for Nigeria to celebrate. The Super Eagles beat Tunisia for the first time since 2019 and scored three goals in an AFCON match for the first time since 2021. Ndidi opened his international goals account, while Osimhen and Lookman both added to their first-ever AFCON goals.
It was also a landmark night statistically: Tunisia had not conceded three goals in any match this year, making Nigeria the first African side to breach them so decisively.
For 70 minutes, Nigeria were in near-total control, dominating possession, pressing aggressively and limiting Tunisia’s attacking outlets. But the late wobble underlined familiar concerns.
Nigeria: Late drop-off raises red flags ahead of Uganda
Chelle admitted that weaknesses at set pieces, fatigue and loss of concentration crept into his team’s performance as the game wore on.
“We were good for 75 minutes, we scored three goals, maybe loss of concentration for the corner (that led to Tunisia’s first goal) and after Tunisia pressed us,” he said.
“We have to improve in the last 15 minutes, but we can’t do 90 minutes with high pressure.
“We also have to improve dealing with set pieces, which led to the two goals we conceded.
“We will have to improve with every game.”
The coach also defended his late substitutions, insisting the introduction of Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke was designed to protect the flanks as Tunisia pushed forward.
Nigeria now face Uganda in their final group game, knowing that a positive result will seal top spot in Group C. Chelle insists the Super Eagles will keep evolving.