Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has urged his players to remain focused and continue improving despite their comfortable victory over Zimbabwe in the semi-finals of the Unity Cup in London.
The Super Eagles defeated the Warriors 2-0 to secure a place in the final, with debutant Femi Azeez scoring both goals in an impressive display for the Nigerian side.
Although pleased with the outcome, Chelle insisted the performance also highlighted areas that still require significant improvement as Nigeria continues preparations for future competitive fixtures, including upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking after the match, the Malian coach praised the commitment shown by his players but stressed that the team remains a work in progress.
According to Chelle, the encounter against Zimbabwe provided another important opportunity to assess members of the squad while continuing to introduce his tactical ideas and football philosophy to the team.
He explained that the technical crew is still working to ensure the players fully understand the demands of the new system and adapt to the style of play being implemented.
While the result was encouraging for the three-time African champions, the coach admitted that the team made several mistakes during the game, especially when in possession of the ball.
Chelle revealed that immediate attention would be given to correcting those weaknesses before Nigeria’s next match, as the coaching staff seeks to improve the overall balance and consistency of the side.
The former Mali coach also emphasised the importance of discipline, consistency and hard work, insisting that those qualities are necessary for any team hoping to compete successfully at the highest level of international football.
He added that tournaments and friendly competitions such as the Unity Cup play an important role in helping the squad develop better understanding and cohesion on the pitch.
Nigeria’s victory over Zimbabwe was boosted by the performance of Azeez, who marked his debut with two goals to help send the Super Eagles into the final of the competition.
The result also gave Chelle another opportunity to observe players in a competitive setting as he continues shaping his squad ahead of more demanding international assignments in the months ahead.
Attention will now shift to the Unity Cup final, where the Super Eagles will attempt to finish the tournament strongly while continuing preparations for the challenges that lie ahead.
Despite the positive result in London, Chelle’s message after the match was clear: improvement remains essential if Nigeria is to achieve its objectives in future competitions, particularly in the race for qualification to the FIFA World Cup.
The coach believes the team must continue learning and refining its tactical approach as it builds toward more crucial fixtures on the international calendar.
