Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has expressed disappointment in his team’s inability to close out matches, pointing to poor game management as a critical weakness. This came after Nigeria surrendered a late lead in their 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe during a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Victor Osimhen had given Nigeria the advantage in the 74th minute, but the Super Eagles couldn’t hold on. Zimbabwe’s Chirewa struck in stoppage time, leveling the score in the 90th minute and leaving Chelle visibly frustrated. The Malian tactician believes his players struggled to maintain control when it mattered most.

Speaking after the match, Chelle highlighted the need for his team to develop the knack for sealing victories. “The players might have been fatigued, and that caused a dip in focus, which led to the goal,” he said, drawing from his experience as the former Mali national team coach. He noted that the intensity Nigeria displayed in the first half waned in the closing stages, allowing Zimbabwe to capitalize.

“It’s tough to break down the game fully right now because I genuinely believe we deserved the win,” Chelle admitted. “We created opportunities, showed aggression, and dominated the first half. But we have to get better at managing games when we’re in the lead.”

Chelle emphasized that at this competitive level, even brief lapses in concentration or signs of tiredness can prove costly. He stressed that learning to “kill off” matches will be key for the Super Eagles moving forward in their World Cup qualifying campaign.