Eric Chelle, the former Mali coach, has revealed the harrowing reality behind his AFCON 2023 campaign.
During preparations for the tournament, Chelle was battling atrial fibrillation, with his heart racing at 200 bpm, leaving him dizzy and fainting at times — yet he remained on the sidelines, guiding his team.
After one match, as he struggled to catch his breath and felt a faint spell coming on, a quick-thinking physio poured water over his head to keep him awake.
“I went through the entire AFCON like that,” Chelle recalled. “The physio knew I was collapsing and acted instantly.”
Behind the strategies, press conferences, and team talks, coaches sometimes face battles of their own.
Chelle’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination required at the highest level — facing life-and-death moments while leading a national team.
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