Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has acknowledged the pressure on his team ahead of today’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Round of 16 encounter against Mozambique, insisting that Nigeria is fully focused on securing a place in the quarter-finals.
Speaking during his pre-match media interaction, Chelle said the knockout stage marks the beginning of the real competition, stressing that the group phase is now firmly behind the team. According to him, expectations are naturally high whenever Nigeria steps onto the continental stage, but the technical crew and players are concentrating on the immediate task at hand.
The Malian-born tactician noted that the squad’s mindset remains positive, describing the atmosphere in camp as calm and professional ahead of the decisive fixture.
He revealed that the team concluded preparations with a final training session on the eve of the match, aimed at fine-tuning tactics and sharpening focus.
Chelle also addressed concerns surrounding restricted media access to training sessions, explaining that the decision was purely tactical and intended to help the players maintain concentration. He dismissed suggestions of friction with the media, emphasising that closed sessions are a standard practice during crucial stages of major tournaments.
On team selection, the Super Eagles coach made it clear that no player is guaranteed a starting place, stating that the final lineup against Mozambique will be determined strictly by performances in training rather than reputation or previous match appearances.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Mozambique today with a quarter-final ticket at stake, as the Africa Cup of Nations enters its knockout phase. Chelle expressed confidence in his players’ ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
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