U-20 AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle Hails Flying Eagles’ Grit After Reaching Quarter-Finals

Mali’s national team coach, Eric Chelle, has praised Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for their resilience and progress to the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations despite a challenging group stage campaign.

The Flying Eagles, coached by Aliyu Zubairu, managed to secure second place in Group B with five points from three matches. Their latest encounter—a tough 2-2 draw against Kenya—earned them a vital spot in the knockout phase of the tournament.

Chelle, who watched the clash from the stands, expressed admiration for the Nigerian team’s spirit, especially their ability to respond each time they conceded.

“It was a tough game, but I’m proud of how the team reacted under pressure,” Chelle told CAFonline. “They didn’t give up, and each time they went behind, they came back fighting. That kind of mentality is crucial at this stage of the competition.”

While Nigeria entered the tournament as one of the favourites, their journey has been far from smooth. Nevertheless, Chelle believes the team’s growth through adversity could be key as they prepare for their next challenge.

The Flying Eagles now face a stern test in the quarter-finals against defending champions Senegal. The match is scheduled to take place next Monday at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.

With Senegal proving dominant in the group stage, the Flying Eagles will need to summon their best form yet. Chelle, though not directly involved, remains optimistic about Nigeria’s potential to cause an upset