AFCON 2025: What Eric Chelle has done for Nigeria, Super Eagles - Iwobi

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has issued a glowing vote of confidence in Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, crediting the gaffer for restoring national pride and fostering a unique bond within the squad during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite the Super Eagles falling just short of the ultimate prize, Iwobi believes the team’s journey represented a significant victory for Nigerian football culture.

Reflecting on the atmosphere following the tournament, Iwobi noted that the connection between the team and the fans has been revitalised.

"The way we performed this AFCON, I feel like the love we're getting, we restored a bit of joy to Nigeria and we're grateful," Iwobi said. "Of course we didn't come back with the trophy, but we're still left as winners one way or another."

Iwobi was particularly vocal about Chelle’s leadership style, highlighting that the coach’s primary demand was mutual respect.

According to the midfielder, this foundation allowed the team to thrive despite the difficult decisions regarding playing time.

"He's done a lot for us... the one thing the coach always demanded from us is respect," Iwobi revealed on his YouTube. "You can't always please everyone in terms of getting the playing time they want, but all the players did well, there were no egos, everybody was working hard."

In a rare look behind the scenes, Iwobi shared that Chelle became emotional during his final tournament speech, a moment that resonated deeply with the players.

"When he gave his last speech, I know he's gonna hate this, but he got emotional and it made everyone feel like, yo, he deserves a lot of praise," Iwobi added. "Without him, we wouldn't be playing the way we're playing. He got the team together, big unity, big chemistry."

Beyond the tactical setup, Iwobi praised his teammates for buying into the collective vision. He described the current Super Eagles setup as "one big family," a sentiment often mirrored in the "vibe" videos shared on the team's social media and YouTube channels.

"It's nice when you have people that just fight for each other," Iwobi concluded. "That definitely helped us in the tournament."