Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has praised his team’s adaptability and resilience following their hard-fought 0-2 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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Chelle showcased his tactical flexibility throughout the match, starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation that featured Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi in midfield, while Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, and Victor Osimhen spearheaded the attack.
As the game progressed, he made strategic adjustments, introducing Raphael Onyedika for Chukwueze and later bringing on Alhassan Yusuf to replace the injured Bright Osayi-Samuel.
“We have a team with strengths and weaknesses, and my job is to shape the game plan accordingly,” Chelle explained in the post-match press conference. “I want my players to understand that we can play in different ways. Today, we used two or three different systems.”
While pleased with his squad’s performance, Chelle emphasized the need for continuous improvement. “I’m proud of my players—congratulations to them. But we have work to do. This was just the first game, and while I’m happy with the win, we must keep improving.”
Looking ahead to Nigeria’s next fixture against Zimbabwe on March 25, Chelle urged his team to stay focused. “We need to be ready for the next game. I prefer to focus on my team rather than discussing Rwanda’s weaknesses. My priority is analyzing and improving our own play.”
He also acknowledged Rwanda’s efforts, recognizing the quality in their squad. “They have talented, fast players with great stamina. They want to play good football, and I respect that. But my focus remains on Nigeria.”
With this victory, Nigeria moves to fourth place in Group C with five points, trailing South Africa (10 points) and Benin (8 points).
