AFCON Qualifiers: Chelle warns Super Eagles against pressure-free Tanzania match
By Tosin Omojola
Nigeria’s Super Eagles face a demanding test when they host Tanzania in Uyo on Friday, with pressure mounting on the team to deliver a convincing response after a disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Already assured of a place at the tournament as co-hosts, the Taifa Stars will approach the encounter without the qualification pressure weighing on their opponents. However, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle believes this could make Tanzania a difficult side to handle.
Speaking ahead of the Group L encounter, Chelle warned that the Taifa Stars could play with greater confidence because they have little to lose.
“About the game tomorrow, this is the most important thing. So what about Tanzania? So first, the biggest strength is there is no pressure for them. Because it’s easy for them to play a game actually. They work on it. They are ready to make a good game. This is why the technical director said, OK, we don’t care about this national team. So it’s easy to play a game when there is no, there is nothing around the game,” he said.
Chelle disclosed that Nigeria’s technical crew had already developed a tactical plan for the encounter but stressed that the players must complement the preparations with the right mentality and intensity.
“We have our plan. We just need to be very focused on that plan. We have to, we need to have a great state of mind to start the game with a lot of intensity and aggressivity. And after, we’ll see how is the game because, you know, everything can happen during a game. So we have to be very focused and just go forward”, he said.
The encounter is particularly important for Nigeria following their mixed results in the opening two rounds of Group L. The Super Eagles began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo but suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau, leaving them with three points.
However, Guinea-Bissau’s 1-1 draw with Madagascar on Thursday has handed Nigeria an opportunity to close the gap on the group leaders. Victory on Friday would take Chelle’s side to six points, just one behind Guinea-Bissau.
The encounter will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
