NIGERIA 2-0 ZIMBABWE: Coaches Reaction | Femi Azeez Did Right & Wrong Things - Chelle

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:29]So What kind of game was it for you and your team?

[00:00:43]>> Answer in French.

[00:00:49]No way.

[00:00:50]>> Uh, no. I think this game was good.

[00:00:55]Uh the players they work a lot during two days.

[00:01:00]Uh we made two two training session of 3 hours. So they work a lot and they deserve this victory.

[00:01:09]Uh we play we played with two system in that in that game 442 diamond and 4231 and uh I was happy because they they play well.

[00:01:25]So I was surprised because it seems that they they play during 6 months or one years together and the reality it was the first time. So we didn't record. This is not my problem.

[00:01:43]So no I was I was happy for that and the reality at the end at the end of the first half is there is three there is nothing to say. So we deserve this victory.

[00:01:57]Uh Zimbabwe is a good team with the strong player and we we we made a great game to win to win this game. So I'm happy for them. Congrat congratulation for the player.

[00:02:11]>> Yeah. All right, coach. Most importantly for your side uh brace for a debut center for you must be nice and seeing some of uh you know the fringe players who looking to get an opportunity come in. How important is that for continuity and giving a wider of players for Nigeria? But you you know the reality since I took this job, we were supposed to qualify in World Cup and we lost we lost in the final of the playoff because we were tired and uh in semi-final against Cameroon against Morocco in AFCON we lost this game because we were tired. So I need to to to bring some new player to to to change that situation. If what the other have gone we we we arrive in semifinal and we are tired. I can bring some player who can make the difference. So I'm happy about all of these player because this is not easy for them to come for the first time and play a big a strong team like like Zimbabwe. This is it was not easy but they played well. So I'm happy for them.

[00:03:20]But the reality this is only a one game.

[00:03:24]Uh this is a friendly tournament. This is not the qualify of the AFCON of the World Cup. So happy because they play well just just this game.

[00:03:37]>> My name is Princess Eugene Majuri from the South. Zimbabwe obviously had a lot of scoring chances and unfortunately they failed to score a single goal. If you were the coach for Zimbabwe, what would you say was the problem?

[00:03:51]>> Don't I will not agree with you about the chance of score a goal.

[00:03:59]Uh but you know we in the first half we make a lot of pressure on on Zimbabwe. So it was difficult for them to go out to try to to build up because we made a lot of pressure. And after when we were uh after 35 minutes we start to to lower down with the with the high pressure and technically because they are strong they have some good player they start to to go to the side and and another side. So it was difficult for them but after that uh after 15 minutes in the second half we passing for to 3-1 and we managed that situation to let them to let them the ball and to play in transition ball so it was the game plan and the player they they made perfectly the game plan so I'm happy for that. Yeah, for this Nigeria. Um, congratulations on the win.

[00:05:00]This is the third friendly match you are playing this year and you still have like two or three lineup before the World Cup. So, what do you make of the Nigerian league now that you having more time to use the home base players?

[00:05:17]I just I just need to I just I just need some times to to do my job to scout some player of the league.

[00:05:28]Uh I need some time to work with them.

[00:05:31]It can be a part of uh a sport project.

[00:05:36]After that I'm not the guy who who or the instructor who said what I have to do. me if you want if the Nigeria want project I'm here to do that but you know the player it was difficult for them the new player because maybe some some of them this is the one the first time that they come in Europa so the pressure was high for them but like I said earlier I'm I'm happy what they show me what they show to the Nigeria so I'm just happy for that But once again this is only a friendly game >> and this is not the World Cup qualifier or the the qualification of the AFCON.

[00:06:19]So they need to work a lot. They need to understand they need to try to understand what I what I want the official what the technical stuff want and uh the high level is difficult. The high level is very difficult. So you see we made some mistakes with the ball technically uh maybe five 5 minute before the end of the first half we did a lot of mistake with the ball so happy for the result but for sure to tomorrow they will work out.

[00:06:56]>> Just a little bit.

[00:06:58]>> Hi this is Harry Costa from the playbook network. You mentioned that this sort this sort of fixture could be good to find some new areas to provide energy into the team and the squad. In light of that comment, how valuable can a competition like this be in terms of looking ahead for 2027 AFCON?

[00:07:17]>> So I keep it everything for me. I just want to work. Uh the player just want to work. They want to have a chance. So now they come and they come on the pitch and they try to to make what we want and this is the most important the most important thing is the state of mind. So uh we work on it during two days.

[00:07:39]uh they work a lot they they had lot of information tactically uh it was very difficult for them but I'm happy because if they can remember one or two way of play tactically it's it's very good and we saw that we bring some goals with that so uh once again in in is another competition so we work after this tournament we will analyze which player we can bring in our team if if they deserve but uh they have now once again they have lot of folk um coach um Olu for Wiki here um we saw Fez you handed the debut to Fez today and he mentioned that it's his first time playing in that position I like to call it the Luke man special how did you find his performance today and scoring a brace in the match and we know he curiously was not in the squad for the Poland and Portugal friendlies or has he done anything to change your mind or force himself into the equation with such a stunning debut?

[00:08:51]>> Yeah, as you can ask to directly uh the first objective was the the run supposed to run a lot today. It was my first objective. This is what I asked to them. Uh the second thing is was the the make a high pressure during 90 minutes. They did they did not.

[00:09:18]So we have to analyze particularly the the performance of Aziz.

[00:09:26]So he scored two goals. Congratulations.

[00:09:29]But he lost he lost lot of goals lot of ball too technically. So I'm not happy.

[00:09:35]uh he get the he get the ball back many goal many ball but he sometimes he didn't get the ball back so I'm not I'm not happy but for the first time we can say as his congratulation and we'll see after if I wake up with a good state of mind and I want him in the in the team for the Portugal and Poland I will say yes but if I don't want I will say no >> thank you >> hi bookie Fipe from Alleg Beta TV. Um, I've noticed quite a few bad habits of some of the players. Did you notice any bad habits from some of the players that they brought over from the NPFL specifically?

[00:10:20]Should I mention what I saw or gone?

[00:10:27]>> But she wants to make me some problem.

[00:10:31]No, they are you know you have some player tech technically they are good but you know sometimes uh we have to be very focused on on on every technical skills.

[00:10:50]So the first touchd I shout on him I want that the pass stay on the ground >> stop the diving >> you know and >> fairly it was on both sides but cuz you're here >> no the the the the reality I try to to to teach them the the game of project that I put in that team but in a short time it's very difficult But uh I'm happy. I'm happy because like I said earlier they try to understand me quickly. So they made some mistake but the state of mind is very good. So uh they want to succeed.

[00:11:35]So I'm just here to give them a chance but like I told them this is I'm not I'm not what is >> the Christmas. I'm not >> Santa Claus.

[00:11:46]>> Yeah. I'm not Santa Cruz. I'm not Santa Claus. This is not a present. This is a bad present because I will judge them.

[00:11:53]So, this is the job and they are a player. I have to make some choice. They need to be very good.

[00:12:02]>> So, I wrote a a really in-depth feature on um on your exit at the World Cup. It was really unfortunate. And I've always been a big fan of the Super Eagles, frankly. Um, ever since interviewing Sunday Oise, who of course you know very well and uh I was absolutely amazed and I loved your performance at the AFCON. First just first of two questions. How did you manage to after this really devastating media everybody especially Nigeria saying oh you know the team was so down everything was so down when you didn't go for World Cup. How did you manage to turn around the atmosphere because you played with so much joy at the AFCON? I really felt like you were actually going to win the tournament and to be frank, I don't think there was very much missing.

[00:12:47]So, what do you feel that you did differently that you managed to turn it around and actually you looked like you were having a really good time, you and the players at AFCON? It was just really inspiring.

[00:13:01]Yeah, your question is good. But if I if I said everything it was difficult for us to to after the losing the game and player for the World Cup, it was difficult for them and we're looking for something to motivate the player. Uh we we we we played this this half because we wanted to to to give some pleasure to to Nigeria to the country.

[00:13:35]It was not a question about the player.

[00:13:38]Uh we were so so sad.

[00:13:43]>> Yeah. because we did we didn't bring this qualification to to to Nigeria and we wanted to give them something better.

[00:13:52]>> Fantastic. So for me it's difficult because uh at this moment I never win a trophy but this the this guy these players they they they took my hand and they said okay coach we go together ready to die with you we go together and if something happen we go together if we win we will win together >> and if we lose we will lose together. So uh I'm very happy for the for the trust that they gave me.

[00:14:29]>> Mhm.

[00:14:30]>> And uh you see that they take a lot of pleasure during this offer and the reality me too.

[00:14:37]>> Yeah.

[00:14:38]>> And only the second question. So last time I met you, last time I got to interview Nathan Tella, I I write on Bundesliga normally. So I'm very excited. Uh can you tell me briefly if you have your eye on any uh because these tournaments are perfect for that kind of thing. Bringing in diaspora players and so on. Do you have any uh your eye on any Bundesliga uh Nigerian diaspora players at the moment any Germany based players who might in the chance get a chance to play for Super Eagles?

[00:15:04]>> Of course. Uh for example Natan Natan was supposed to come but he has he had an injury. Mhm.

[00:15:09]>> So we have some player everything everything we we follow maybe 80 80 players per week >> 80 player in Europa >> and we follow uh there is maybe 150 players we follow them monthly. So we follow we follow a lot of player in Europa uh particularly in Germany in England uh some of them in Saudia because we have a striker we played for Monaco he's a good player we have some a lot of player we follow big but uh the first idea is to bring we have we have a good team we have a great team and at this moment they they has they they they are at the at the at the top. So, this is the the moment that they're supposed to win something. But like I said, like I give the answer to Austin Texas, we have to analyze every game that we played. So, I just want that this team improve. So, I do my job.

[00:16:22]>> Thank you.

[00:16:22]>> That's all we got time for, guys. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

[00:16:29]>> Texas. Yeah, good.

[00:16:31]>> You're my man.

[00:16:33]>> You didn't record.

[00:16:34]>> I know. I I couldn't wait to ask you a question, but but it's fine. It was just the test I'm getting.

[00:16:41]>> Congratulations, coach. Great to see you again.

[00:16:47]>> Right, coach. A difficult one to start your time as an interim coach. And let's look at the positives that you did draw from the game if at all there were any.

[00:16:58]And uh also the challenges that you noticed and the second part being you took some would have expected you to make changes a bit earlier looking at that uh we were trading in the first half and then also in the second half we're looking also that it's a friendly and there were so many mistakes that were happening people expected change to have occurred a bit earlier than the 76th minute when you made your first substitution in the encounter your assessment of the game. Well, I think uh first of all, I think it was a game of moments. Uh I feel like I was uh happy with some of the performances in certain moments uh from the team but as well disappointed in some of the you know moments as well in terms of you know how we defended and also how we we we we played especially in the final third where would have made better decisions.

[00:17:57]uh and also had better quality in our in our in our play. You know, we got into good areas that we could have taken advantage, you know, you know, in those moments. So, it was a little bit dis disappointing and as well as also if you look at the goals that they scored, I thought we could have done better in terms of how we could have defended. Uh we had maybe better opportunities as well, but we didn't take them. But nevertheless, I thought in terms of, you know, performance, I thought the players did very well. Uh, we played, you know, some good football in certain moments and I was quite happy with that. And I was quite happy with certain players as well who really did very well and for me there is a little bit of, you know, progress looking at the way we started our camp.

[00:18:52]Coach, I'm asking >> the late substitutions technically and that what could have been the reason you wanted to give players more time or >> I think uh we we we looking you know you know further than just you know this tournament you know it's us to prepare you know for the qualifiers. So we don't want to make emotional decisions. We need to try and give players, you know, you know, more opportunities to prove themselves and looking as well that we've got another game, you know, coming through that we'll be able to give other players a a chances also to to play. So, it's not just about this game. It's it's it's it's it's we're looking, you know, further than this game.

[00:19:37]>> Yes, coach. I'm asking um when you look at the game the team did they give too much respect to the Nigerian side and in what ways do you think they could have improved?

[00:19:48]>> Uh I not necessarily I don't think we really you know gave too much respect. I thought like I mentioned a little bit earlier that we had our moments and they had their moments. They also you know took advantage of their moments and we didn't do that. H I thought they kept the ball a little bit better and longer, you know, than us. Uh we could have done better in those moments, especially on transition where we could have, you know, made better decisions and took care of the ball. And I think that was the difference as well as you know, you know, you know, the opponents took advantage of the opponent of the chances that they created and the the money to score and we had also better opportunities that we could have taken advantage and we didn't. So we need to try and make sure that we are more lethal in in the final third. Go back and work a little bit more on that.

[00:20:39]>> Coach, um you have a strong team in Zimbabwe and I would just like to congratulate you for keeping the score line as two. You did very well. You had options of other players. Did you consider putting in some more substitutes so that you have more fresh pairs of legs?

[00:20:56]uh like I mentioned uh in the last question that we we we we've got another game coming through and uh we we we we have you know few injuries here and there. So we try and manage that and make sure that when we play the next game we'll have you know fresh legs. So hence we we we made that decision you know to give you know these other players more opportunities.

[00:21:25]>> Okay. Hello, Bookie Fipe from Alleg Beta TV. Um, I found a couple of the Zimbabwean players pretty impressive. Is there anyone that had a standout performance? I'll share mine with yours.

[00:21:38]Number 12, Maruta. I thought he was sorry.

[00:21:41]>> Can I come again?

[00:21:45]>> Sorry. Sorry about my but um yeah, I found his performance exceptional. Very tactical on his feet. Is there anybody else that stood out for you? Yeah, I think you're quite correct. I thought he was he was very solid defensively.

[00:22:01]He gave us, you know, the aggression that we needed in certain moments. So, he was he he was one of the players that also really impressed me as well as Sean Fus.

[00:22:13]I thought he did very well playing at right back. He normally plays as a wing back. So, but I thought he gave us a little bit more energy. uh but it's only where we need to try and work a little bit better is in the final third in terms of our quality and our decision making but uh other than that I thought also Fabish did very well you are solid in midfield he's one of the players that has been you know progressing and improving >> okay coach um firstly uh for the future that the team was pressing was forcing turnovers but I didn't see the team doing it that much more pressing. Uh maybe was it a tactic or what? I know pressing uh uh it you know is demanding and I think we did very well in certain moments uh and we were not a little bit consistent in that you know maybe probably it's because of you know how demanding the game was you know if you look at it some of the players also joined the camp a little bit late somewhere already done with their you know with their with their with their leagues and also with this game also pulling off you know uh you know you know the FIFA official FIFA calendar it was a little bit difficult for us to bring in you know you know the players a bit early players we had you know you know been playing regularly so hence the inconsistency in terms of our pressing >> yeah you gave a number of rookies their their debuts your impressions on and how they blended with some of the senior guys.

[00:24:03]>> Uh look uh one Shane I thought he did very well. Uh though I can't really you know pinpoint in terms of you know player there are some who still need a little bit of work who really need to try and work a little bit more or maybe need more you know opportunities to really gel with the with the with the team. H probably we need to play a little bit more, you know, friendly games together. Uh but in terms of how we played, I thought, you know, we we we played, you know, well, uh but we need to be a little bit more consistent.

[00:24:41]>> Excellent. We'll take one more.

[00:24:44]>> Thank you so much. Um so I'm Ben from World Soccer Magazine, but I'm the Bundesliga writer. I was very interested to see Bja Fabish here tonight from Alka.

[00:24:54]They won the German regional cup, but they've gone down unfortunately.

[00:24:58]Are you looking at any other German players? He I thought was very impressive, very uh clear, clear-minded, very focused. He's distributing the ball very well. Um but on the same note, it's also to choose players from the fourth division perhaps is less common looking at the rest of your squad. So, do you have any other Bundesliga players or German players, German based players in mind? And what was your impression of your nowish's performance tonight?

[00:25:24]>> Well, I thought Jonah was one of our outstanding players in terms of how we recovered a lot of possession for us. He's always took us, you know, forward. He showed a lot of energy which we we needed, you know, in certain moments. So, he need also needed a little bit of help which, you know, didn't come in certain moments. But I was quite you know happy with his overall performance regarding looking at other players in German. We we creating a bigger pool you know in terms of our database in terms of profiling players so that we can be able to to to to to select and you know you know you know have you know more players coming to represent the the country.

[00:26:11]>> Thank you guys.

[00:26:13]>> Thank you.

[00:26:13]>> Thank you.

[00:26:21]Okay.

[00:26:22]All right.