By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca, enroute Tangiers
The Super Eagles have drawn a line under their flawless group-stage campaign and shifted full attention to the demands of knockout football as they prepare for Monday’s Round of 16 encounter against the Mambas of Mozambique at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Head coach Eric Sékou Chelle, recently named Coach of the Group Phase, led an intensive Friday evening training session at the Sardienne Complex in Fès, with 25 players put through their paces. Also present was two-goal, two-assist forward Ademola Lookman, whose form has been central to Nigeria’s perfect nine-point haul from the group phase.
England-based defender Ryan Alebiosu was absent from the session as he continues recovery from a leg injury sustained during Tuesday’s 3–1 victory over Uganda, a result that sealed Nigeria’s maximum points return.
Greece-based forward Cyriel Dessers has returned to his club due to a thigh injury, while midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi missed training after coming down with a cold, having featured as a second-half substitute in the win over the Cranes of Uganda.
Chelle has emphasised to his players that the tournament now demands a different mentality, urging them to embrace the discipline and pragmatism required in knockout football rather than chasing spectacle.
Nigeria’s group-stage exploits also pushed their Africa Cup of Nations scoring tally to 152 goals in 107 matches since their debut at the finals in Ghana in 1963, underlining the Super Eagles’ enduring presence at the continental showpiece.
The French-born tactician remains unbeaten in regulation time in 13 competitive matches since his first outing with Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali last March.
His side have only tasted defeat on two occasions during his tenure — the penalty shootout heartbreak against DR Congo in a World Cup playoff in Rabat and a 2–1 friendly loss to Egypt in Cairo last month.
Reacting to his Group Phase coaching honour, Chelle was quick to deflect personal praise.
“I am happy about this recognition,” he said. “But I want to give the credit to my backroom staff who work tirelessly to make the team function. This is good motivation for me, the players and the entire squad.
“However, this is not why we are here. We are here for something bigger and better. We will not get ahead of ourselves. We will continue to work hard and stay focused for every match as it comes.”
Nigeria face Mozambique national football team on Monday, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake as the Super Eagles look to translate group-stage excellence into knockout success.
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