AFCON 2025 / Eric Chelle (Nigeria’s head coach): “We might let Morocco have the ball…”

On the eve of the clash with Morocco in the semi-final of CAN 2025, the Nigeria coach, Eric Chelle, adopted a defensive approach to contain the Atlas Lions and strike at the right moment.

Eric Chelle was this Tuesday at a press conference in Rabat. And the Nigeria national team coach spoke about the clash with Morocco this Wednesday, in the CAN 2025 semi-final. For this summit clash, the Franco-Malian coach unveiled a plan that was, to say the least, unexpected. The Nigeria coach, known for his attacking style, is now considering a more measured strategy to counter the Atlas Lions, the favorites and buoyed by their crowd.

Aware of the fatigue accumulated by his players after an intense journey, the Nigerian coach is embracing a pragmatic choice. The idea: to absorb pressure in order to strike back. “We may have to let Morocco have the ball and wait for them,” he said, noting that the opponent sometimes shows limits against a well-organized low block. The plan is clear: tighten the lines from the outset, contain Morocco’s offensive efforts and preserve balance until halftime. The second half could then show a different face, with fresher players entering to make the difference. As a reminder, the match is scheduled for tomorrow evening from 21:00 (GMT+1).