- Coach Éric Chelle had recounted how Victor Osimhen’s words of support moved him to tears ahead of Nigeria’s third-place playoff at AFCON 2025
- Osimhen had played through a hamstring injury, scoring four goals and providing two assists, earning Team of the Tournament honours
- The moment underscored the strong bond and mutual respect between the player and coach, highlighting leadership and professionalism
The head coach of the Super Eagles, Éric Chelle, has shared an emotional moment he experienced with striker Victor Osimhen during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, describing how the player moved him to tears.
Chelle recounted that the interaction occurred ahead of Nigeria’s third-place playoff against Egypt, as the team sought to conclude the tournament on a high note despite injuries and fatigue.
“I had a discussion with Victor on the field,” Chelle told RMC Sport. “I told him that we absolutely had to go for that third place. But I could see that he was injured, that things weren’t going well at all.”
The coach explained that he took the opportunity to acknowledge Osimhen’s contribution to the team and to offer personal support. “So I told him: ‘I’m proud of what you’ve done since I took over this team. If you ever need me, whatever happens in your life, you call me, I’ll come.’”
Chelle went on to reflect on his own journey and how Osimhen’s words affected him emotionally. “When I arrived, you were already a great player; I didn’t arrive as a great coach. He looked at me and said: ‘Coach, maybe you were a small coach, but now you are a great coach.’ At that point, I burst into tears. Honestly, it was hard to go on to training afterwards.”
Osimhen had been playing through a hamstring injury throughout the tournament, scoring four goals and providing two assists, earning a place in the Confederation of African Football’s Team of the Tournament. His resilience and commitment clearly left a lasting impact on Chelle, who described the exchange as a defining personal moment during AFCON 2025.
The revelation highlights not only Osimhen’s professionalism and leadership on the field but also the strong bond he shares with his coach—a relationship built on mutual respect and shared commitment to Nigerian football.