‘I Was Surprised’ – Eric Chelle Applauds Super Eagles' Cohesion in Victory Over Warriors

Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has expressed his astonishment at how seamlessly his players gelled, noting they performed like long-term international teammates during their recent triumph over the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

Nigeria booked their place in the final of the 2026 Unity Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory against Zimbabwe at London's Valley Stadium, thanks to an impressive brace from debutant Femi Azeez.

Given that Chelle had selected an experimental squad for the tournament, resting several first-choice regulars ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures, the fluid display on the pitch caught the head coach pleasantly by surprise.

Reflecting on the performance, Chelle praised the instant understanding displayed by the group, particularly given the influx of new faces and domestic league talent into the setup. He admitted he had expected some initial teething problems but was delighted by the immediate chemistry within the ranks.

However, the Franco-Malian tactician was quick to keep his players grounded, emphasizing that there is still plenty of room for improvement. Despite the positive result, Chelle noted that the squad committed several unforced errors in possession and must continue to adapt to his high-intensity tactical demands.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the Unity Cup final this weekend, where they are scheduled to face either India or Jamaica as they look to secure the silverware in London.