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Eric Chelle Stays Defiant After 3-0 Loss To Guinea-Bissau, Declares: ‘This Is Not The End’
Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Sekou Chelle is staying defiant, despite his side’s 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, as he stressed that it is not the end for Nigeria in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles Target Four Straight Victories In All Their Remaining AFCON 2027 Qualification Matches
Sports247 reports that, in spite of widespread criticism trailing him and his players after their huge defeat by one of Africa’s less fancied squads, the Franco-Malian gaffer added that his wards gave a good account of themselves on a poor surface.
He, however, also admitted that The Wild Dogs showed a stronger zeal for victory during the encounter and they also expressed more determination on the bumpy pitch of 24th September Stadium in Bissau.
“They were more aggressive than us, and they were better than us. This is not an excuse, but they know the pitch and the condition was tough for us.
“The pitch was very bad, and it was the first time we were playing there. The weather was very bad, too, but Guinea-Bissau entered the game with more aggressiveness,” Chelle conceded.
The former head coach of Mali’s national team and MC Oran of Algeria also took a look at technicalities of the game and admitted that his players put up the worst performance they have had since he took over the saddle in January 2025, but quickly added that he will start working to rectify the situation.
“We need to put in more aggressive effort and intensity to make a difference. They had more intensity and more motivation, to which we never found a solution.
“We tried to go forward with something different after half time but, after ten minutes, we stopped, and I don’t know why.
“I tried to bring in something new, but it did not work. So, we have to be very objective about this game; but this is not the end,” Chelle submitted emphatically.
Sports247 reports further that Chelle and his players have already turned their focus on the upcoming international friendly away to Russia, after which they will regroup in November to continue the AFCON 2027 qualifiers with a home and away double header against Tanzania.
Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to miss AC Milan’s UEFA Europa League encounter against Bournemouth after suffering a left hip problem ahead of Thursday’s fixture.
READ ALSO: Chukwueze Continues to Impress as AC Milan Fight Back to Earn Point at Lazio | Sports247 Nigeria
The Nigerian international was absent from Milan’s final training session at the club’s Milanello training ground on Wednesday, October 21, raising concerns about his availability for the trip to England.
Sport247 reports that Chukwueze developed the problem following AC Milan’s 3-2 Serie A victory over Atalanta on Sunday, October 18. The winger is scheduled to undergo a specialist medical examination to determine the severity of the injury and establish his potential recovery period.
The setback comes at an important stage of Milan’s European campaign, with the Italian side preparing for their third league-phase fixture of the Europa League season.
Chukwueze has featured regularly for Milan this season, earning opportunities under head coach Ruben Amorim. His possible absence would reduce the team’s attacking options on the right flank as they prepare to face a Bournemouth side playing on home soil.
Milan are already dealing with other fitness concerns. Belgian winger Alexis Saelemaekers is sidelined following ankle surgery, while defender Matteo Gabbia also missed the final training session ahead of the Bournemouth encounter.
The extent of Chukwueze’s injury remains unclear, and the outcome of his medical assessment is expected to provide a better indication of how long he could be unavailable.
For Nigeria, the development will also attract attention as the Super Eagles continue to monitor the fitness of key players based abroad. However, no definite return date has been established for the winger.
AC Milan are scheduled to face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday, October 22, in a fixture that will test the Italian club’s squad depth amid their growing injury concerns.
Chukwueze’s immediate focus will be on determining the extent of the hip problem and beginning the appropriate recovery process before returning to competitive action.
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