Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has charged his players to display warrior-like qualities on the field as Nigeria prepares for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament beginning today in Zanzibar.
This revelation came from Nigeria's team B star, Sola Adelani, who shared insights into the coach's motivational approach during pre-tournament preparations.
Adelani, who plays for Ikorodu City and is part of the Super Eagles squad for CHAN 2025, quoted Coach Chelle as saying, "If you are not a warrior, you can't play football. If you're doing like a girl or a boy on the field, they'll eat you. You must be like a lion."
The player further revealed that Chelle encourages attacking play and risk-taking. "He talks to me 'Sola, if you have the ball, go one-on-one. Even though you lose the ball, it's not a problem,'" Adelani told reporters ahead of the tournament.
For Adelani, representing Nigeria has been a lifelong ambition. "It has been my dream to represent Nigeria, and I'm overjoyed that it has finally been realized," he said, while also praising Chelle's man-management skills.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group D of the competition alongside Senegal, Sudan, and Congo. The tournament, which showcases players from domestic leagues across Africa, provides a platform for home-based talents to shine on the continental stage.
The Super Eagles will be looking to make a significant impact in this year's championship, with Coach Chelle's warrior mentality potentially serving as a driving force for the team's performance.
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