AFCON: Eric Chelle demands clinical start as Nigeria eyes redemption

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has challenged the Super Eagles to secure a maximum three points in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C opener against Tanzania, insisting the team has “moved on” from their failed 2026 World Cup qualifying bid.

The Super Eagles are set to begin their continental campaign on Tuesday in Fes. For Chelle and his squad, the tournament represents a critical opportunity for redemption following a string of inconsistent performances that saw them fall short on the global stage.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Chelle was dismissive of questions regarding the team’s recent World Cup qualifying struggles, pivoting instead to the immediate task at hand, which is their AFCON opener

“We are here for a tournament, and we have a game tomorrow. We simply don’t have the time to dwell on what happened before,” Chelle told reporters. “This is not the moment to discuss the World Cup qualifiers; the priority right now is this competition.”

A “Big Game” Mentality For AFCON Opener

Nigeria enters the AFCON tournament as one of the favorites, having finished as runners-up in the 2023 edition. However, memories of their sluggish start in the previous tournament—a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea—remain fresh. Chelle emphasized that a dominant start is non-negotiable this time around.

“We’re happy to be here, but we understand the stakes. The first game of any tournament is always a ‘big game’ because it sets the tone. Our objective is clear: we want to win,” Chelle added, noting that morale within the camp remains high.

The Super Eagles will be looking to translate their “high spirits” into clinical execution on the pitch. With Group C expected to be competitive, three points against Tanzania would provide the necessary cushion before they face the group’s tougher hurdles.