Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has insisted that Nigeria are calm and composed ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash with Mozambique.
Nigeria reached the last 16 after a flawless group-stage campaign, winning all three matches to finish top of Group C with nine points. Victor Osimhen and Calvin Bassey featured in all three games as the Super Eagles emerged as one of the tournament’s most consistent sides.
Chelle said the atmosphere around the team in Fes has helped maintain that sense of calm.
“There is a lot of pressure, for sure, but I’m actually excited about that,” he said. “Since I came, I have felt good. The town is perfect, the hotel is perfect, the atmosphere is perfect. We are calm.”
The coach added that the environment has allowed him to remain composed during matches, enabling cleare
Eric Chelle. Photo Credit:Imago
r decision-making on the touchline.
“If you watch the games, I am more calm than at other AFCONs,” Chelle said. “I stay focused only on the game. I have my vision.”
While Nigeria’s results have been impressive, Chelle acknowledged that performances are not always perfect.
“Sometimes it’s very good, sometimes very bad, this is football,” he said, stressing that consistent work remains central to the team’s approach. “We work every day, we work hard, and the group works hard.”
Chelle also warned that Nigeria must continue to improve if they are to progress further in the tournament.
“We have to improve again if we want to be ambitious,” he said. “Even if the weather is difficult because it’s cold, we continue to work hard.”
Eric Chelle in training with the Super Eagles. Photo Credit: Imago
Mozambique, meanwhile, had a mixed group campaign, losing their opener 1-0 to Ivory Coast, bouncing back with a 3-2 win over Gabon, and finishing with a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon.
The Mambas have been given additional motivation ahead of the tie. President Daniel Francisco Chapo has promised a bonus of 500,000 meticais (around $7,800) to each player and member of the coaching staff if they defeat Nigeria.
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The last-16 tie between Nigeria and Mozambique will be played at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Monday, 5 January, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.
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The full round of 16 fixtures also features Morocco against Tanzania, Mali versus Tunisia, Algeria facing DR Congo, Egypt meeting Benin, Senegal taking on Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire against Burkina Faso, and South Africa against Cameroon.
