“I am very proud of these guys. Because every time they are focused on what I ask, what I want. They show what I want. Once again, the word today was the passion. It was the working together to have the same thing. They did it,” he said.

However, the coach insisted that any celebrations must wait until after Sunday’s final, saying, “Maybe after the second game we can smile.”

Reflecting on his time in charge, Chelle emphasised his focus on building a clear identity for the team.

“I don’t want to talk about what happens before. Since I came, I try to work, create an identity. Every time we talk about the game, the sports project is very important and the game project too. Like I said, the most important factor is to create an identity, and the identity is how you play in defence and offence,” he said.

“This is how we try every time to improve at every FIFA window. When you play at the FIFA window and you have only two or three training sessions, somehow these guys improve technically and they understand what I want them to do.”

The Super Eagles will clash with DR Congo on Sunday in a battle that will decide the sole winner of the CAF ticket to the international playoffs ahead of the Mundial next year.