Gabon Coach Dey Play Mind Game – Chelle

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle and im Gabonese counterpart Thierry Mouyouma don drop strong message ahead of dia 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off semi-final clash for Rabat, Morocco, as tension don rise before Thursday match. Mouyouma, wey yarn for Libreville, tell Agence Gabonaise de Presse say im go change some tactical and technical plans to counter Nigeria strength, even though im sabi say Super Eagles strong. Di Gabon coach, wey like make im team hold ball, talk say e important make dem control di rhythm of di game and force Nigeria to play from back. Im add say, “We need to make dem chase di ball.” Im 27-man squad get big names like Aubameyang, Mario Lemina, Denis Bouanga, and Bruno Ecuele Manga, as Gabon finish second for Group E behind Ivory Coast to enter di play-off.

On di other side, Chelle talk for Eagle 7 Sports Radio say im no dey moved by side talk and im only focus na to carry Nigeria go World Cup. “Our mind dey on di pitch, our goal na to go World Cup,” im talk for Segun Odegbami programme ‘90 Minutes with Mathematical 7.’ Chelle reveal say im dey rely on small circle of senior players, Ekong, Ndidi, Moses Simon and Osimhen, to keep discipline and unity for camp. Im still hail Gabon say dem be strong team with correct players and fine coach but warn say Nigeria no go underrate dem. Chelle later yarn CAF say di Super Eagles get plenty attacking players, over 25 fit play frontline, and say selection no easy at all because dem dey track close to 80 players weekly. Both coaches don set fire for di stage as di showdown for Rabat go decide who go move closer to 2026 World Cup ticket.