Nigeria coach Eric Chelle praised his players after their emphatic 4-0 victory over the Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday, describing Victor Osimhen as “the best striker in the world” after the forward’s hat trick secured the Super Eagles’ place in the CAF Playoff Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Victor Osimhen’s hat trick and a thundering strike from substitute Frank Onyeka secured a thumping victory for the three-time African champions at Godswill Akpabio Stadium. The outcome means Nigeria will now fight in a four-nation playoff in Morocco next month for a chance to advance to the intercontinental stage of qualification.
Following the game, Chelle expressed his admiration for his players’ dedication and tenacity in the face of a must-win situation.
“I’m so proud of my players,” he said.
“They deserved this game because it was not easy with a new coach and a new philosophy to adapt to. So tonight I’m just happy for my players. They played a great game two hours ago, and they also played a great game three days ago.”
The coach also praised Victor Osimhen, who scored three times to bring his international total to 29 goals in 44 appearances, putting him on track to surpass Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer, the late Rashidi Yekini.
Chelle referred to the former Napoli striker as “the best striker in the world,” prompting applause from the post-match media room.
“I love him. He is the best striker in the world. But I’m proud of all the players because everybody brought something to this team. I’m especially proud of my captain because he scored a great penalty (in the last match). They all gave everything,” Chelle said.
Chelle, who took over the team in the middle of the qualification campaign, conceded that the triumph was simply the start of the Super Eagles’ long journey to redemption.
He stated that the group was aware of the hurdles ahead as they focused on Morocco, saying, “This is not finished. This is the beginning. It will be very, very difficult. Now we go to Morocco, and we have a lot of work to do.”
The Franco-Malian coach reserved special praise for the fans, whose passionate support at the Uyo stadium, he said, lifted the team to victory.
“I’m happy for the fans because they brought us the victory. They started to help us, to push us, to take this victory,” Chelle added.
He also praised his players’ unity and sense of responsibility, emphasizing that the win was a collective effort built on trust and belief within the squad. “All the players gave everything,” he said.
“For me, they are my champions. Football is like that; sometimes you make mistakes and lose, but they love the country and always give everything.”
Chelle emphasized the importance of team spirit in his rebuilding process, stating that the relationship between himself, his captain, and the players remained critical to their success.
“Sometimes I make mistakes too, but you can ask the captain and the players; we are a family,” he said. “If we win, we win together. If we lose, we take it together.”
Reflecting on the team’s progress under his leadership, Chelle emphasized that Nigeria’s journey was only beginning and that the coming weeks will be vital.
“Now we have a lot of work to do,” he concluded.
Nigeria will next regroup in preparation for the CAF playoff competition, which will take place in Morocco from November 13 to 16, when they will compete for one of Africa’s remaining slots in the intercontinental playoff.
The eventual winner will compete against teams from Asia, Oceania, and the Americas for a spot in the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
