AFCON 2025: Osimhen’s Words Moved Me to Tears – Chelle

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has opened up on an emotional moment he shared with star striker Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, revealing that the exchange moved him to tears.

Chelle said the moment occurred in the build-up to the third-place playoff against Egypt, when he held a private conversation with Osimhen, who was struggling with injury but remained determined to contribute to the team’s success.

The coach explained that he urged the Galatasaray forward to give everything possible for the bronze medal match, while also expressing deep appreciation for Osimhen’s commitment and sacrifices throughout the tournament.

“I told him that we absolutely had to go for that third place. But I could see that he was injured, that things weren’t going well at all,” Chelle told After Foot on RMC.

“So I told him: ‘I’m proud of what you’ve done since I took over this team. If you ever need me, whatever happens in your life, you call me, I’ll come.’”

According to Chelle, Osimhen’s response was both unexpected and deeply touching.

“He said to me, ‘Coach, maybe you were a small coach, but now you are a great coach,’” Chelle recounted.

The Super Eagles coach admitted that the remark overwhelmed him emotionally, describing it as one of the most powerful moments of his coaching career.

“I burst into tears. It was a very strong moment for me,” he said.

Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign was characterised by resilience, tactical discipline and individual brilliance.

The Super Eagles topped their group with victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before delivering emphatic performances in the knockout stages, thrashing Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16 and overcoming Algeria 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

Their quest for a place in the final ended in heartbreak in the semifinals, where they were held to a goalless draw by host nation Morocco in Rabat before losing 4-2 on penalties.

However, the team responded positively, defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the third-place match after another 0-0 draw in Casablanca to secure the bronze medal.

Despite battling a hamstring injury throughout the competition, Osimhen emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament.

The 26-year-old scored four goals and registered two assists in six appearances, earning a well-deserved spot in the CAF Team of the Tournament.