Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said he would have remained on the pitch and continued playing during the AFCON 2025 final.
Speaking after the ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Committee, which stripped Senegal of their title, Chelle stressed that the laws of the game must be upheld regardless of circumstances.
“The rule is simple: any team that leaves the field without a valid reason is declared the loser. This isn’t an opinion, it’s the law,” he said.
CAF’s decision effectively awarded the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco, triggering widespread reaction across the football community.
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Chelle, who took charge of the Nigeria national football team, suggested that resilience should prevail in such high-stakes situations.
“In his place, I would have stayed, because the fighting spirit demands that you fight until the end,” he added.
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Senegalese football authorities are reportedly considering further action, potentially taking the case beyond CAF, as the fallout from one of the most contentious finals in AFCON history continues.
