Chelle Targets Nations Cup Trophy Ahead Mozambique Clash
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has reiterated his desire to lead the team to the 2025 Nations Cup trophy ahead of the second round clash against Mozambique on Monday.
Nigeria will be hoping to book a place in the quarterfinals of the competition at the Fez Stadium in Morocco after enjoying a perfect run in the group stage.
Chelle led the team to victories over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda which earned him the tournament’s group stage coach of the tournament award on Friday.
The Malian coach was delighted for the honour but he has set his sights on leading Nigeria to a fourth Nations Cup glory.
Chelle said: “I am happy about this recognition. But I will like to give the credit to my backroom staff who work tirelessly to make the team function. This development is a good motivation for me, the players and the entire squad.
Advertisement
“This is not why we are here. We are here for something bigger and better. 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.”
Ademola Lookman was the only Super Eagles player to be named in the tournament’s team of the group stage following his return of one goal, two assists in three matches.
The Super Eagles have the record of most medals in the tournament with three triumphs (gold medals), five runner-up positions (silver medals) and eight bronze medals.
The only three times they failed to reach the quarter-finals were at their debut in Ghana in 1963, at the 13th edition in Libya in 1982, and in Cameroon four years ago.
Ghana 2008 was the only time they crashed out at the quarter-final stage. Otherwise, every time they had gone past the first knockout round, they had picked up a medal.
Advertisement
The Confederation of African Football has selected Cameroonian official Abdou Abdel Mefir as referee for Monday night’s encounter, with his compatriots Elvis Noupoue and Carine Atezambong as assistants for the encounter against Mozambique.
The match will kick off at 8 pm Nigerian time on Monday.
