Super Eagles head coach Éric Sékou Chelle has doubled down on his decision to enforce a total media blackout, admitting today that Nigeria is “under immense pressure” to avoid a repeat of history ahead of tomorrow’s Round of 16 clash with Mozambique.
Addressing a packed press conference at the Fes Stadium today, Sunday, 04 January Chelle responded to the outcry from the Nigerian press corps after barring journalists from three consecutive training sessions. He framed the “camp lockdown” as a psychological firewall designed to protect his players from the weight of national expectation.
The coach was unequivocal about the need for isolation, citing the trauma of Nigeria’s recent failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the “ghosts of 2021.”
“I told the players to concentrate on themselves. We are our first opponent; we must take out all outside noise,” Chelle stated. He argued that the blackout allowed the team to work “calmly” on tactical shifts and set pieces away from prying eyes.
Nigeria swept the 2021 AFCON group stage with 100% success, only to be dumped out in the Round of 16 by a third-placed Tunisia. Chelle is desperate to avoid a similar “perfection paradox” against an underdog Mozambique.
“To answer your question, yes, we are under pressure. But we are here to be ambitious. I don’t have time to think about what happened before.”
Despite the tactical secrecy, the camp has been forced to confirm significant personnel setbacks ahead of Monday night:
| Player | Status | Reason |
| Cyriel Dessers | OUT | Confirmed thigh injury; has returned to his club. |
| Ryan Alebiosu | OUT | Failed late fitness test (recovering from Uganda clash). |
| Tochukwu Nnadi | Doubt | Missed training due to a severe cold. |
| Victor Osimhen | Ready | Restored to full training after missing New Year’s Day sessions. |
While Chelle seeks silence, Mozambique’s camp is buzzing with external incentive. Mozambique’s President, Daniel Chapo, has reportedly promised each player a bonus of 500,000 Meticais (about $7,800) if they achieve a historic upset over Nigeria.
Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde took a jab at Nigeria’s “star power” today: “Big names and jerseys don’t win games. We don’t have an Osimhen, but we have the collective heart of a whole nation.”
Match Countdown
- Fixture: Nigeria vs. Mozambique (AFCON Round of 16)
- Venue: Complexe Sportif de Fès, Morocco
- Date: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM (Nigerian Time)
