Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has finally exorcised the demons of AFCON 2023 following his side’s commanding 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria on Saturday.
The Franco-Malian tactician gained a huge sigh of relief and took a significant step further after his AFCON 2023 debacle, where his Malian side suffered a devastating last-gasp defeat to eventual champions Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.
Thirteen months ago, almost to the day, Chelle crouched on the touchline in Bouaké, tears streaming down his face as an assistant poured water over his neck. The Eagles had led for 89 minutes before conceding an equaliser, then lost 2-1 in extra time, crushing their semi-final dreams and leaving Chelle physically and emotionally devastated.
The image went viral. The “water man” memes followed. What many didn’t know was that Chelle had been experiencing dizziness and rising blood pressure due to previous cardiac surgery.
“Everyone calls me ‘water man’ because of that match. Do you know the story behind that?” Chelle asked in an interview last year during the African Nations Championship. “Before the tournament, I had surgery in France for a cardiac problem. It was issues relating to that which led to them pouring water on me, to revive me.”
He later explained what happened in those agonising final moments: “After the Elephants’ second goal, I started to feel dizzy, my blood pressure was rising. I thank my compatriot who poured enough water on my head to stabilize my blood pressure.”
The water wasn’t theatrical—it was medical necessity.
Now, wearing Nigeria’s green and white rather than Mali’s yellow and green, Chelle has gone one better. The Super Eagles’ dominant performance in Marrakech, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams in the 47th and 57th minutes respectively, secured the semi-final berth that eluded him in Ivory Coast.
“This is what we worked for,” Chelle said after the match, his composure a stark contrast to those tears in Bouaké. “The players executed the plan perfectly. We stayed disciplined, we stayed focused, and we got the result we deserved.”
Lessons learned and applied
The tactical contrast between the two quarter-finals is striking. Against Algeria, Nigeria controlled the match from start to finish. The Desert Foxes failed to register a single shot on target—a defensive masterclass that showed Chelle’s evolution as a tactician.
Mali’s approach in 2023 had been more cautious, sitting deeper to protect their lead. That defensive posture in the final stages proved fatal when Ivory Coast found their equaliser. This time, Chelle ensured his side remained on the front foot.
When Osimhen headed Nigeria in front just two minutes into the second half, there was no panic, no sitting back, no inviting pressure. Ten minutes later, Adams doubled the advantage after Osimhen turned provider. Game over.
Scepticism silenced
Chelle’s appointment as Nigeria coach on 7 January 2025 raised eyebrows. He became the first non-Nigerian African to lead the Super Eagles—a significant milestone but also a risky gamble for a football-mad nation accustomed to either homegrown coaches or European imports.
Some Nigerian fans were sceptical. Here was a coach who had just been sacked by Mali after a goalless draw with ten-man Madagascar. Critics dismissed him as “a French Ligue 2 veteran” with limited credentials. Why not pursue a bigger name?
“I understood the doubts,” Chelle admitted. “Nigeria is a great football nation with high expectations. But I knew what I could bring—organisation, discipline, and a winning mentality. The rest was up to the players.”
The players have delivered. Nigeria scored 12 goals in the group stage, playing attractive, attacking football whilst maintaining defensive solidity. The victory over Algeria extended their unbeaten run and confirmed Chelle’s tactical credentials.
Nigerian supporters, initially dubious, have been won over. Social media, once filled with questions about his appointment, now celebrates his calm professionalism and tactical acumen.
Sweet irony
There’s delicious irony in Chelle’s AFCON 2025 journey. In March 2024, whilst still Mali coach, his side defeated Nigeria 2-0 in a friendly—Mali’s first victory over the Super Eagles in 50 years. It was a significant achievement, proof of Mali’s progress under his guidance.
Less than a year later, Chelle stands on the opposite touchline, leading Nigeria with the same tactical intelligence he brought to Mali. The transformation has been remarkable.
“Football is funny sometimes,” Chelle said with a wry smile when asked about that friendly victory. “I was proud of what we achieved with Mali. But this is a different challenge, a different team, a different tournament. What matters now is Nigeria.”
The philosophy
Chelle’s coaching style blends European tactical discipline with African football’s emotional intensity. Born in Abidjan to a French father and Malian mother, he spent his entire playing career in France—375 club appearances over 16 years—learning organisation and defensive structure.
His five international caps for Mali and his coaching experience in African football gave him an appreciation for creativity, passion, and the fierce competitiveness that defines the continent’s game.
At Nigeria, this philosophy has manifested in a team that is both organised and adventurous. The 12 goals in the group stage demonstrated attacking intent. The clean sheet against Algeria showcased defensive discipline.
“We want to play beautiful football, but we also want to win,” Chelle explained. “That requires balance—knowing when to attack, when to defend, when to control the game. The players have shown they can do all three.”
Managing stars
Chelle has also shown an ability to manage Nigeria’s constellation of stars without letting egos derail the collective effort. When pressed about Victor Osimhen in the pre-match press conference, he deflected smoothly.
“Yes, everyone talks about Osimhen and Lookman, and that’s normal because they’re among the best African players,” he said. “But we’re here to support them so they can score—we work for them. Football is a team game.”
It’s an approach that has fostered unity. Osimhen’s unselfish assist for Adams’ goal demonstrated the collective mentality Chelle has instilled. Individual brilliance in service of team success.
The ultimate test awaits
Wednesday evening in Rabat will provide Chelle’s biggest challenge yet as Nigeria face hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with the Atlas Lions riding a wave of home support and their own dreams of a first AFCON title since 1976.
Victory would write the final chapter in Chelle’s redemption story—from Mali’s quarter-final heartbreak to Nigeria’s potential final appearance. The Super Eagles last reached the final in 2024, where they finished runners-up to Ivory Coast—the same team that ended Chelle’s Mali dreams.
“I don’t think about redemption,” Chelle insisted when asked about the narrative. “I think about preparation, about tactics, about giving my players the best chance to succeed. What happened at the last AFCON is in the past. This is about Nigeria’s future.”
Yet the past inevitably shapes the present. His experience of near-miss heartbreak has informed his approach to knockout football. He knows how quickly joy can turn to devastation, how crucial concentration is throughout the 90 minutes, how discipline separates winners from losers.
Nigerian fans who once questioned his credentials now trust his judgment. Players who might have doubted his pedigree now believe in his methods. The “water man” image that once mocked him now seems like ancient history.
Two matches separate AFCON 2023’s quarter-final elimination from AFCON 2025’s potential final. Two different teams, one coach, a journey from tears to triumph nearly complete.
For now, Chelle can savour Saturday’s victory—a quarter-final navigated successfully, demons exorcised, amends made. But he knows the job isn’t finished. Morocco await. History beckons.
