If a collective is, as they say, the perfect reflection of what its coach is, we understand better this wind of serenity and plenitude that Nigeria hovered over the Grand Stade in Marrakech on Saturday late afternoon. In the wake of the Super Eagles’ demonstration against an Algerian selection too limited to block their path to the semi-finals of this CAN, it was a smiling but incredibly humble Éric Chelle who in turn came to highlight at a press conference this quiet strength deployed by his troops a few minutes earlier on the pitch.
Firstly to salute the performance of his team and express his pride in having seen them display such a level of performance. “The guys were exceptionally intense. They were impressive. They have been for a while and I hope it continues. Seeing my players happy like that in the locker room, that’s what makes me smile,” he began before turning to Wednesday’s semi-final in a more unexpected way, showering his counterpart Walid Regragui and the Atlas Lions with praise.
“I would like to take my hat off to him”
“Morocco is a big team,” assured the Franco-Malian technician before discussing the atmosphere around the selection. It’s not easy to be the host country in this type of competition, there is a lot of pressure. But the coach is good, very good. I can tell you that he prepared very well for his CAN, we can’t imagine the work behind it. I would like to take my hat off to him. »
“It’s been one or two years since they (Editor’s note: Regragui and his staff) analyze and study in videos all their potential opponents of the CAN, continues Chelle. Today they are in the semi-final and they deserve it. I’m proud to find myself in front of this great coach, because believe me, he is one. Let’s just try to put ourselves in his place, of the responsibility that is his to be the coach of his selection, in his country of origin. »
An exit marked with the seal of benevolence which can perhaps be explained by the flood of criticism which accompanied Chelle’s daily life following the non-qualification of Nigeria for the World Cup, a regime to which Walid Regragui was, to a lesser extent, subjected before the CAN due to the level of play produced by Morocco.
“I had to put a bubble around me”
“There are 230 million Nigerians, including 230 million coaches, 230 million journalists and 230 million decision-makers,” the Super Eagles coach recently quipped, to say the pressure on his shoulders. They have a lot of demands. They are very emotional supporters, who react very quickly. It can be good, but sometimes also dangerous. I had to adapt, put a bubble around me to stay focused on my goals. »
A method which undoubtedly brings the technicians of the Atlas Lions and the Super Eagles a little closer together before the clash which will pit Rabat on Wednesday for a place in the final.
Smiling, the Franco-Malian coach of the Super Eagles nevertheless admitted, opening the memory box, “not having won much against Morocco” during his playing career. “But this is going to be a great match,” he promised. I want it to be a spectacular match, that people have fun. After the best wins! »
