Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has shared his thoughts following the Super Eagles’ 3-3 draw with Russia in a thrilling international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.

The three-time African champions opened the scoring through an effort from in-form Kelechi Iheanacho on the edge of the box early in the first half.

Lechi Sadulaev equalised for the hosts before Matvey Kislyak added the second to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time.

Aleksei Miranchuk extended Russia’s lead in the second half before Eric Chelle’s side staged a remarkable comeback to level the scores, courtesy of goals from Peter Edokpolor and Akor Adams, who found the net late in the game to ensure that Nigeria escaped another defeat.

Speaking in his post-match reaction, Chelle acknowledged that his side lost momentum to Russia towards the end of the first half and at the beginning of the second half.

“This represents a draw. We achieved a significant moment at the beginning of the first half. They possessed substantial moments at the conclusion of the first half,” Chelle stated.

“This explains their two goals. In the opening of the second half, the situation remained comparable,” he said.

The 58-year-old attributed Nigeria’s remarkable comeback in the dying embers of the game to some tactical adjustments in attack.

“We discovered a resolution because tactically we implemented adjustments regarding our strikers.

“During the concluding phase of the second half, they failed to identify a resolution, and consequently we achieved two goals through transitional play,” he explained.

Chelle commended his side for their resilience in rescuing the game in the second half.

“The second-half performance of my team demonstrated considerable quality. I expressed appreciation for my players.

“And as I communicated to my colleague on my left side, the decisive factor of the match is the football itself,” he concluded.

WDN