VIDEO: Akor Adams hails Chelle’s impact on S’Eagles, grateful for mother’s recovery

Super Eagles forward Akor Adams has praised interim coach Eric Chelle for his profound influence on the squad, describing the French tactician as instrumental in making the players better people beyond football during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Speaking in a video shared on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Adams revealed the team had arrived with gold medal ambitions but remained proud of their achievement.

“We came for the gold and we did not take it, but we are proud of what we have been able to achieve,” Adams said in a post-match interview on Saturday.

“We are a very strong group; everybody is going home with a better friendship with the next person as a better person.”

The striker, who was making his first appearance at a major tournament, singled out Chelle for special recognition, expressing deep gratitude for the coach’s leadership over the past three weeks.

“We are all grateful to Eric Chelle for what he has done for us as a group in the last three weeks. We are better people because of him,” Adams declared.

“He has given me the opportunity to represent my beloved Nigeria.”

Adams also opened up about the personal challenge of dealing with his mother’s illness during the competition, revealing that the Confederation of African Football medical team provided crucial support during the difficult period.

“Like every other tournament, things will happen in between and family issues are not separate from that,” he explained.

“I am grateful it was not anything too big out of control. I am grateful also to the CAF medicals because they took care of her.”

The striker confirmed that his mother’s condition had improved significantly, allowing him to share the tournament experience with her despite the initial concerns.

“She is much better now and I am glad we got to experience this together,” Adams added, though he admitted he was “not very happy” with merely securing bronze.

When asked about celebration plans, Adams maintained perspective about the achievement, refusing to diminish the value of the bronze medal despite falling short of their ultimate goal.

“No, don’t say it is a bronze medal, it is simple. Some people came and went home with nothing,” he noted.

“We will just go back to the hotel now, first try to eat and then we will see what happens.”

PUNCHONLINE reports that the Super Eagles won a record-extending ninth Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal after defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Saturday

Watch Video Here:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐀𝐤𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐎𝐧 𝐒’𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲

Credit: X | Ademola Victor

—
Follow us for more breaking news and videos pic.twitter.com/3AEaosEXsm

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) January 18, 2026