Tremendous Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has admitted that integrating new and dual-nationality gamers into Nigeria’s squad has been a difficult course of because the workforce continues preparations for subsequent month’s World Cup playoff in Morocco.
Chelle revealed that whereas he’s impressed by the standard and enthusiasm of the newcomers, the transition from European soccer to the African recreation calls for time and persistence.
He defined that the physicality, tactical self-discipline, and unpredictable enjoying circumstances in Africa typically require adaptation, even for gamers who’ve featured at prime ranges overseas.
“It’s at all times troublesome when gamers who have been raised or play abroad come into a distinct soccer tradition,” Chelle stated. “African soccer is exclusive — the tempo, the ambiance, even the circumstances. We’re taking a gradual method to make sure everybody understands our system and what it means to symbolize Nigeria.”
The coach, who guided the Tremendous Eagles to the CAF World Cup mini-tournament after a formidable run within the qualifiers, hinted that one or two new gamers might nonetheless be added to the squad relying on the workforce’s wants and participant availability.
As Nigeria prepares to face Gabon of their opening playoff fixture, Chelle emphasised that cohesion and workforce spirit will probably be essential to the Tremendous Eagles’ success.
He added that whereas particular person high quality stays essential, the final word objective is constructing a workforce able to competing on the highest stage.
“We’ve got the expertise,” he stated, “however expertise alone doesn’t win World Cup spots. We have to work as a unit, adapt rapidly, and imagine in what we’re constructing. Each participant—whether or not home-based or foreign-born—should perceive that they’re a part of one thing larger than themselves.”
