Eric Chelle pinpoints key area of improvement after Nigeria progression | OneFootball

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Nigeria coach on where the team must improve

Photo: Peoples Gazette

Nigeria national team head coach Eric Chelle has highlighted a key area of improvement after his side sealed progression to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday.

The Super Eagles beat Tunisia 3-2, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, while Montassar Talbi scored from a corner, before Ali Abdi converted from the spot for the North Africans.

This follows a victory over Tanzania in their curtain raiser as Nigeria sit top of Group C with six points from two games, much to the delight of Chelle ahead of their final clash against Uganda.

“I'm happy because we won, so we improve at every game. So, the first game was good, not bad, we won. The second game we improved, but we did some good things and some bad things too, so, we have to continue to improve in every game,” said the French-Malian tactician.

"We scored three goals, maybe it's a lack of concentration about the corner and after Tunisia tried to make a high pressure on us and there is a fat game for a penalty kick. You can say what you want, the reality is we deserved this victory.

On areas of improvement, the 48-year-old mentor says his troops must improve their game management in the last quarter of the matches, and most importantly their defense of set pieces.

“At the end of half-time we had about 75% ball possession and until the 75th minute we were the best team on the pitch. So, I'm very happy and proud of my players and like I said we have to improve for the last 15 minutes. But for sure you cannot do a high pressure for 90 minutes -it's impossible.” Chelle added.

"We took [conceded] the first goal before my substitution, if I remember. So, we took the first goal because like I said, we did a high pressure for 75 minutes and after 75 minutes they arrived to find the sides, so this is why I put two wingers anticipating they cannot go to the sides,

"But they arrived because they scored two set pieces, one set pieces and one penalty kick. So, in my opinion we have to improve in that case in the set pieces.