Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has broken his silence on his daring decision to bench captain William Troost-Ekong in Nigeria’s hard-fought 1–0 victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The slim but crucial win, sealed in the 51st minute by striker Tolu Arokodare, sparked debates across football circles—especially with the captain absent from the starting lineup. But Chelle insisted it was a deliberate tactical gamble, one he says “proved right.”
> “This is my choice. I do not need to explain. My job is to make decisions. Winning proves the decision was good,” Chelle declared confidently during the post-match briefing.
The coach revealed that the Eagles’ 70% first-half possession stemmed from Rwanda’s fatigue, which limited their pressing game. “We are happy because we won by one, but we cannot face South Africa with that same formation,” he admitted, hinting at a tactical shake-up ahead of Tuesday’s showdown.
Chelle stressed his preference for a 4-4-2 diamond or flat setup, emphasizing the importance of a rock-solid defence. Yet, he voiced concern over the team’s wastefulness in front of goal, a flaw he warned must be fixed before the high-stakes duel with Bafana Bafana.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong took full responsibility for sitting out, acknowledging it was part of Chelle’s tactical blueprint. The captain showered praise on young defender Benjamin Fredrick, describing his outing as “amazing” despite the weight of pressure.
Troost-Ekong, visibly emotional, used the opportunity to salute the Uyo fans:
> “We never stopped believing. Welcome back to the family. The next step is South Africa.”
As the Eagles march towards Tuesday’s explosive encounter, both Chelle and his captain agree on one thing: focus and consistency will decide Nigeria’s World Cup fate.
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