Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has played down any suggestion of revenge as Nigeria prepare to face Algeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting his attention is firmly on preparation and performance.
Nigeria and Algeria, two of Africa’s traditional heavyweights, will battle on Saturday at the Stade de Marrakech, Ouahat Sidi Ibrahim, with a semi-final ticket at stake.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Chelle made it clear that emotions from the past will not influence his approach, stressing that discipline, unity and tactical clarity will be decisive.
“It is very important for me to stay focused on what happens on the pitch,” Chelle said. “Energy is important, but the mentality of the group is even more crucial. We must remain united.”
The Franco-Malian tactician admitted that his technical crew are still finalising their approach to the game, given the quality of the opposition.
“This is a very big match against a strong team. We are still working on our game plan,” he stated.
Chelle also praised the Algerian setup, describing their backroom staff as highly professional, while rejecting any link between the upcoming clash and Nigeria’s past disappointments.
“I respect this Algerian side a lot and the way their staff work,” he added. “I am not thinking about 2019. My only objective is to compete, perform well and qualify.”
The Super Eagles coach also addressed the growing attention around Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, acknowledging their quality but insisting Nigeria’s strength lies in collective effort.
“It is normal for people to talk about Osimhen and Lookman because they are among the best players in Africa right now,” Chelle said. “But our mission is clear: we support them, create chances, and try to score. We are one team, and only teamwork will bring success.”
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