Speaking at the post-match press conference following his side's 4-1 rout of Gabon on Thursday evening, manager Eric Chelle stood by his defenders when he was questioned about the Super Eagles' defensive lapses. 

Including extra-time and stoppages for injuries and VAR checks, the Nigeria versus Gabon clash lasted for around two and a half hours.

However, the Super Eagles would have seen off the opponents in regulation time if not for a lapse in concentration that allowed Galatasaray midfielder Mario Lemina to score an equalizer in the 89th minute. 

After Akor Adams opened the scoring in the 78th minute, Chelle made a tactical tweak, bringing on a defensive minded player Frank Onyeka to replace the Sevilla forward, but the Super Eagles did not manage the closing stages.

This marks the third time the Super Eagles have conceded after the 80th minute mark in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers since the Malian was appointed coach.

Against Zimbabwe in Uyo, Tawanda Chirewa netted the equalizer in the 90th minute and on matchday nine, Hlompho Kalake pulled one back at minute 83. 

Chelle has refused to blame his defenders, saying he was satisfied with the performances of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi, who were playing together for the first time.

"The defensive discipline? This is football, if there's no little mistake about the position, there's no goal. We scored four goals because they made mistakes on positions," Chelle told reporters. 

"We conceded a goal in the last minute, but we had a better chance to finish the game at the last moment.

"It was a new defence too. Bright, Benjamin, Calvin and Zaidu - they played well. The team was strong in defence, but we can improve every time."

The Super Eagles know there will be no margin for error on Sunday when they face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoff for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Chelle must now decide whether to restore Semi Ajayi to the starting XI after the experienced Hull City centre-back missed the Gabon clash through suspension.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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