By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has talked up the Flying Eagles performance in their Group B clash with Kenya, Prompt News reports.
The nine-time champions held Kenya to a 2-2 draw at the June 30 Stadium, Cairo on Wednesday.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side reached the quarter-final at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations following the stalemate.
Chelle said the team played well despite their failure to win the game.
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,” Chelle told CAFonline.
“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, Chelle 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”, added the 47-year-old.
