Super Eagles’ new coach, Eric Chelle, didn’t hold back in demanding more from Benjamin Fredrick following the youngster’s impressive debut during Nigeria’s Unity Cup final against the Reggae Boys of Jamaica at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, London.
During the game, Fredrick showcased his skills as a center-back, earning praise from both teammates and fans. However, Coach Chelle believes there is always room for growth and improvement, no matter how well a player performs. In his assessment of Fredrick’s performance, Chelle acknowledged the young player’s strengths while highlighting areas for development. He said, “He reads the game well, but of course there’s room for improvements.”
Chelle pointed out a specific instance where Fredrick could have made a different decision that might have prevented a goal. Despite the positive feedback on his debut display, Chelle emphasized the importance of continuous improvement for all players. He stressed that even when they perform admirably on the field, there are always opportunities to enhance their skills further.
“Like I always say about our players, even when they play well, we still need to improve every day,”
he remarked.
In a lighter moment reflecting on coaching dynamics and player selection, Chelle shared an anecdote about one of his assistants jokingly suggesting that he deserved credit for Fredrick’s performance due to selecting him for the match. However, Chelle humbly deflected any personal praise and reiterated that individual success stems from hard work and dedication rather than just one standout game.
“My assistant even joked that I should take credit for his performance because I selected him,”
Chelle mentioned.
Despite Fredrick’s promising start and successful outing in a significant match like the Unity Cup final, Coach Chelle reminded him of the ongoing journey ahead. He encouraged Fredrick to stay focused on consistent progress by putting in effort daily to elevate his game further. “But really,
” noted Chelle thoughtfully reflecting on the bigger picture beyond one match outcome; “
it’s just one game – a big one – and he needs to keep working hard and improving.”
With experienced guidance from Coach Eric Chelle combined with talent and determination from emerging stars like Benjamin Fredrick, Super Eagles fans can look forward to witnessing exciting developments within their team.
