Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed satisfaction with his team’s hard-fought victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi in their World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Speaking during the post-match briefing on Saturday, Chelle commended his players for their first-half display, noting that they dominated possession with 70 percent of the ball—something he linked to Rwanda’s fatigue.
“This is why, in the second half, they didn’t press us. After our goal, we had two wingers, more experienced players, and that was the plan. We’re happy to win by one, but we can’t face South Africa with the same approach. My real joy is about Tuesday’s game,” he said.
The coach defended his decision to leave out team captain William Troost-Ekong in the opening half, insisting the priority was three points.
“This was my choice. I don’t need to explain further. My job is to make decisions, and winning shows it was the right one,” Chelle stated.
He explained that his tactical choices—favoring a 4-4-2 diamond or flat formation—were aimed at strengthening the defence, which was why he deployed five defenders. However, he admitted disappointment at the Eagles’ inability to convert several scoring chances despite dominating the contest.
Troost-Ekong, speaking later, said he fully accepted responsibility for not starting the match, describing it as a collective team decision. He praised youngster Benjamin Fredrick for an “amazing performance,” acknowledging the pressure the defender had faced in earlier games.
The skipper also thanked supporters in Uyo for their encouragement, saying it felt good to reconnect with the fans. “We never stopped believing. Welcome back to the family,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Troost-Ekong stressed that the upcoming clash against South Africa would be decisive. “We really believe in what we’re doing. We must take it step by step. The next step is South Africa,” he added.