Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has praised his players’ resilience after Nigeria defeated Egypt to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The third-place play-off, played on Saturday in Casablanca, ended goalless after regulation time before Nigeria triumphed 4–2 in a penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero of the encounter, saving two penalties to secure Nigeria’s place on the podium.
Reacting after the match, Chelle said the victory was the result of character and collective effort following the team’s semi-final loss to hosts Morocco.
“Being a coach is never easy. I felt disappointment before, but today I feel deep pride in these players. They gave everything until exhaustion,” Chelle said.
The coach described the bronze medal as the product of months of preparation, sacrifice and belief within the squad.
“This achievement did not come by chance. It came from a full year of continuous work and belief,” he said.
Chelle also highlighted the importance of unity and effective team management, noting that experimentation during the tournament was part of the team’s growth.
“This is not a one-night story. It is part of a longer journey for the future of this team,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nwabali described the bronze medal victory as a collective achievement, despite being named Man of the Match.
“It was a very difficult match against a great Egyptian team. Nobody wanted to make a mistake,” the goalkeeper said.
He added that calmness was key during the shootout.
“I stayed calm, read the takers and trusted my instincts,” Nwabali said.
The goalkeeper praised the defensive unit and team spirit shown throughout the match.
“This victory came from collective effort. Everyone stayed united,” he said.
Nigeria finished AFCON Morocco 2025 on the podium, with Nwabali’s penalty saves proving decisive in the third-place play-off.
