Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has warned his players against complacency, stating that Nigeria must lift their game after a flawless group-stage campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria qualified for the round of 16 with a commanding 3-1 win over Uganda in Fez on Tuesday, finishing first in Group C with a maximum nine points.
The result set up a knockout match against either Ivory Coast, Cameroon, or Mozambique on Monday, also in Fez.
While noting the additional scrutiny that comes with knockout rounds, Chelle made it obvious that he is comfortable working under pressure and sees it as part of the job at this level.
“The round of 16 brings pressure, of course, but I like that,” Chelle said. “Since I arrived, there has been pressure and I feel good with it. The environment here is right, the organisation is right, and the atmosphere around the team is positive.”
Drawing parallels with his last AFCON experience with Mali, the 47-year-old observed a calmer demeanour on the touchline, attributing Nigeria’s consistency to focus and daily preparation over emotion.
Chelle stated that the Uganda encounter was an opportunity to evaluate team depth and experiment tactically.
Nigeria took the lead in the 28th minute by Paul Onuachu before gaining control after Uganda goalie Salim Magoola was sent off early in the second half.
Raphael Onyedika’s rapid brace, both assisted by Samuel Chukwueze, sealed the victory, despite Rogers Mato’s late consolation.
The coach was pleased with the response of his rotated lineup, citing competition for positions as a positive problem.
“The players who didn’t start the previous games showed quality,” Chelle said. “They scored three goals and gave the right answer. Now I have a headache because I have many options, and that’s exactly what you want in a tournament.”
Despite the convincing outcome, Chelle emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford to stand still if it wants to compete for the crown.
“I am happy with the win, but we must improve again,” he stated. “If we want to be ambitious, improvement is non-negotiable.”
Nigeria will now await confirmation of their round-of-16 opponents as the focus moves entirely to the knockout phase of AFCON 2025.
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