The Atlas Lions ended Chelle and Nigeria’s journey in the 2025 edition following a 4-2 penalty shootout win at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The semi-final fixture ended 0-0 in regular and extra time.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged the hero after he produced decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi. His superb save to deny Onyemaechi saw Nigeria dumped out at the semis stage.
With Morocco facing Senegal in the final, Chelle discussed the final during a press conference to update the media on Nigeria’s readiness to face Egypt in the third-place playoff at Mohammed V Stadium on Saturday.
Senegal will have to stay focused
“I really appreciate both coaches; I don’t really have any advice to give. But I would simply tell Pape (Thiaw) of Senegal that he is going to play an away game… and that it’s not just any away game,” Chelle told reporters at Mohammed V Stadium.
“It’s much more than that. The stadium is impressive with the huge crowd. This crowd carries its team… we often say that it plays the role of the twelfth man, but here, it plays more than that.
“Senegal will have to stay focused. I wish both teams good luck, they both deserve to win this trophy. As an African, I am very proud of what they have achieved.”
Shifting focus to the Egypt game, Chelle maintained their focus is to win the bronze medal as a consolation for their failure to reach the final for the second straight edition. Nigeria reached the final during the 2023 edition but they lost 2-1 against Ivory Coast.
“This match is important. We want to win it and return to Nigeria with the bronze medal. Third place would be a reward for the work put in, the effort made, and the team’s performance during this AFCON,” added Chelle.
“It’s never easy to prepare after a semi-final elimination, but we want to secure this victory and finish the tournament on a positive note. The most important thing is to learn from defeats, draw lessons from them and move forward.”
Chelle continued: “To be honest, I’m disappointed to be here because my ambitions for this tournament were much higher. After our defeat to Morocco, I reminded my players to keep their heads up because they had an excellent tournament.”
He concluded: “Personally, that (winning bronze) will be positive. Egypt is a team who have big qualities, team spirit, solidarity, big individuals capable of making the difference, medium block, conditions, it will be a beautiful match to play.”
While the Lions of Teranga have played all their matches in Tangier up to now, the Atlas Lions will be playing their seventh game in Rabat.
Senegal will play in their fourth AFCON final and first since 2021, while Morocco will contest their second AFCON final and first since 2004.
