Head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has maintained that the side has improved under his watch since he became head coach earlier in the year, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Franco-Malian, who became the head coach of the Super Eagles in January, helped the side secure a place in the World Cup Qualifiers playoffs after a slow start.
Speaking in a chat with former Nigeria International Segun Odegbami on Eagle7 FM on Saturday, Chelle touched on a variety of things, especially his time with the Super Eagles so far.
“I think the team has improved since I took over,” Chelle began in the chat.
“It is difficult because you don’t have enough time to work. The FIFA window is usually short, and you have a small time to work with, so focus is on one or two principles of play. I can judge the ten months with the Super Eagles because we have improved every game.
“We are focused on only the game, and not after one year. We take it game after game, and we are focused on it. The job is positive; I was a bit disappointed because of the CHAN, but with the Super Eagles – 14 pts plus Unity Cup win, so I think it is positive. Now, this is just this feeling. The most important is November, and we have two games. The reality is that the job starts now,” Chelle added.
Chelle went on to dismiss talks about him being lucky with the side’s qualification for the playoffs. He also argued that he came to work, and the result his down to the hard work of the technical staff.
“This isn’t luck. When I took this job with my technical staff, we did not come to sit down. We came to work and gave everything for this team and for this country. We have done great work in these past ten months, and this is down to the work we have put in.
“I’ve always known that we have a chance to reach the playoffs. This is why every time, I’m focused on the pitch. The reality is we will continue to work, with our energy and state of mind. We want to go to the World Cup,” Chelle concluded.
The Super Eagles should they beat Gabon in November in the semi-finals of the CAF World Cup playoffs will play the winner of DR Congo and Cameroon for a place in the inter-continental playoffs next year.
