Super Eagles manager, Éric Chelle has described the U20 Africa Cup of Nations as a ‘laboratory for the future.”
The remark came from the coach who is in Egypt to monitor the players of the Nigerian side.
He spoke to CAFOnline as he expressed his views on the competition and applauded the Nigerians for progressing to the next stage.
“I’m very happy with our U20 team’s qualification. It wasn’t an easy match because we were up against a very good team (Kenya). We reacted in this match. Every time we conceded a goal, the team responded well.”
The performance wasn’t perfect, Chelle knows. He bluntly points to a physical deficit. “I felt we were a little tired. “It’s true that we struggled with our attacking play, but it was a very interesting match to watch.”
Adding to his views on qualification, the coach emphasised that the importance of this tournament goes far beyond results.
“U20 are 19-year-olds, 18-year-olds. These are players who, in a year, or even two years, will be in their country’s senior national team. There are good players in this team, there are some in the Kenyan team too. I think it’s good to come and watch”, says the former Mali coach.
What has impressed Chelle even more is the overall framework in which young players are evolving today. The former defender, now a renowned technician, is full of praise for the CAF
“I was very pleased to see CAF technicians in the stands analysing the matches. I think CAF is trying to progress, to bring things that are helping our football in Africa to progress.”
For Chelle, these developments are shaping a more credible, more modern, and above all, more ambitious African football.
“We have to make sure we have very strong football, so that we become the number one.”
While the Nigerian U-20s may not yet possess the collective rigour of a seasoned team, they have already awakened the pride of a demanding coach.
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