Nigeria is a wounded Lion, we must beat them - Congo coach fires warning at Eric Chelle

Heading into the final group game of the African Nation Championship (CHAN), Congo coach Barthelemy Ngatsono has stated that his team is out to get all three points against Nigeria.

Recall that the Super Eagles B (made up of home-based stars) have lost their first two opening matches of the 2025 CHAN tournament and yet to score a single goal.

Eric Chelle’s side lost 1-0 to defending champions Senegal and then suffered an embarrassing and shocking 4-0 defeat to Sudan. 

The defeat to Sudan raised a lot of questions about coach Eric Chelle’s tactics and if the appointment of the Malian to lead the team was the right decision, given that his assistants Daniel Ogumodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu were more suited since they know the boys much better, having worked with them in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).

Ahead of the clash between Nigeria and Congo, the central African nation led by coach Barthelemy Ngatsono has vowed to add salt to injury for the Nigerian team, stating that there’s no alternative to victory.

He said: “There is no alternative to victory. We respect Nigeria, but they are like a wounded lion.”

“They will play with pride, so we must be sharper and stay focused.”

Barthelemy Ngatsono also stated that his boys have the needed determination and endurance to get the desired result against the Super Eagles B.

“Everything will be decided on the pitch. We have the spirit and determination to get the result we need,” he said.

On his part, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle insists that he wants to end the competition on a high.

“We want to end the competition with a victory. We haven’t scored yet, and this game is our chance to put things right,” Eric Chelle stated.

While taking full resposibility for the performances so far, Eric Chelle is not giving up yet, he explained that he wants to return home to Nigeria with some positives.

He said: “Of course, I take responsibility as coach. But now it’s about lifting morale. We must return home with something positive.”

“Football is about learning lessons. We must show our positive side now."

The Congolese have two points from two games, having played out a 1-1 draw with both Senegal and Sudan, while Nigeria have zero points from the same number of games.

A win for Congo will see them go through to the quarterfinals while a draw might hamper their chances, as only the top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout phase.

Nigeria have already been eliminated after failing to win any of their first two games and will be playing for nothing other than pride against Congo when both sides meet by 6PM on Tuesday, August 19th.