Chelle Warns Eagles: ‘We Will Not Get Ahead of Ourselves’
Nigeria’s Super Eagles stand on the cusp of another milestone as they prepare to face Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations, with CAF confirming that victory will deliver their 12th quarter-final ticket.
Coach Eric Chelle, however, has urged caution, reminding his players that past success in the group stage counts for little in knockout football.
‘We will not get ahead of ourselves and think we are the best. We will continue to work hard and stay focused for every match as it comes,’ he said, stressing the need for discipline and humility.
Chelle, who has openly acknowledged the weight of expectation from Nigerian fans, is determined to field a side that combines defensive resilience with attacking flair.
His approach has already earned him recognition as ‘Coach of the Group Phase’ after Nigeria swept through their group with three wins, scoring eight goals and conceding four.
Yet, he insists that the knockout stage demands a sharper edge, especially against a Mozambique side making history with their first-ever appearance in the AFCON last 16.
Nigeria’s pedigree in the competition is unmatched. With three titles, five runner-up finishes, and eight bronze medals, the Super Eagles hold the record for most medals in the 69-year-old tournament.
They have reached the quarter-finals 11 times since the stage was introduced in 1992, failing only once in 2021. Indeed, every time they have cleared the Round of 16, they have gone on to claim a medal.
The only three occasions they missed the last eight were at their debut in Ghana in 1963, in Libya in 1982, and in Cameroon four years ago.
Monday’s clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fès is a test of Nigeria’s ability to maintain their tradition of excellence.
The Mambas, guided by Chiquinho Conde, have already upset expectations by advancing from Group F, and their defensive organisation and counter-attacking threat could pose problems if Nigeria lose focus.
