A complicated player – Eric Chelle explains AFCON challenges faced by Victor Osimhen

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has spoken about the difficulties Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen faced during the Africa Cup of Nations, describing the Napoli forward as a “complicated figure” due to the physical demands placed on him during the tournament.

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Speaking on RMC Sport’s After Foot programme, Chelle reflected on Osimhen’s AFCON experience while discussing the broader challenges players endured at the competition, which Nigeria concluded with a bronze medal finish.

The Malian tactician clarified that Osimhen struggled with a hamstring injury throughout the tournament, a factor that affected his performances and overall fitness.

“Victor is a complicated player,” Chelle said, referencing the striker’s physical condition. “He was dealing with a hamstring issue, and that’s not easy in a tournament like AFCON.”

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Chelle also highlighted the intense travel schedule teams faced, explaining how tight turnarounds between matches contributed to player fatigue.

“After our quarter-final match against Algeria in Marrakesh, we travelled back to Fez before heading to Rabat to prepare for our semi-final match against Morocco just 48 hours later,” he explained. “These conditions take a toll on players.”

While discussing fatigue, Chelle cited an example from his own squad, noting how physical exhaustion affected individual performances.

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“If you watched the game against Morocco, Akor Adams was very tired. He lost possession of the ball several times,” the coach added, using the incident to underline the physical strain players were under rather than singling out Osimhen directly.