Eric Chelle and winger Moses Simon have played down off-field distractions and past rivalries, insisting Nigeria are mentally and tactically ready for their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Algeria.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Chelle described the fixture as a “big game against a big opponent,” stressing that preparation has been centred solely on performance on the pitch.
“This is the quarter-finals, so of course it’s a big game,” Eric Chelle told journalist. “We’ve trained well and, as always, we’ve focused on how we want to play. My job is on the pitch, not around it. What matters most is our objective.”
The coach was asked about recent distractions within the camp, including Victor Osimhen’s emotional outburst and the reported bonus dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation. Chelle was clear in his response, emphasising unity and mindset.
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“Energy and state of mind are everything,” he said. “The group must stay together, with strong solidarity. In football, there are always good and bad moments, but you have to focus on what is most important. Mentally, we are good, physically, we are ready, and tactically, I have to make the right choices.”
Eric Chelle’s familiarity with Algerian football, having previously coached in the country, could also play a role. He acknowledged the quality of the opposition, describing Algeria as a technically gifted side with fluid movement.
“Algerian football is very technical; they like to play with a lot of movement,” he noted. “I have my vision, and I’ll try to find the best formation for this game.”
For Moses Simon, the quarter-final offers motivation rather than revenge. The winger was part of the Nigerian squad eliminated by Algeria at the semi-final stage of AFCON 2019 but insists the past will not define this contest.
“That was then,” Simon said. “Different players, different mindset on both sides. We’ve talked about it, but it’s in the past. This is the present. A lot of young players want to make a name for themselves, and we are motivated. We want to win.”
Nigeria’s attacking numbers 12 goals scored so far, contrast sharply with Algeria’s defensive record, having conceded just once in the tournament. Chelle believes the challenge remains the same: clarity, belief and composure under pressure.
“To win, we have to score goals,” he said. “We analyse the opponent, look for weaknesses and make sure the players believe they can exploit them. In the quarter-finals, mindset is crucial, managing pressure, the opponent, and the instructions from the coach.”
Simon echoed that calm approach, dismissing any talk of vendettas.
“There’s no revenge mindset,” he added. “We just want to play our game. We work every day to improve and to win. That mentality is what drives us.”
As Nigeria and Algeria prepare to renew their rivalry on the continental stage, both coach and player are aligned on one message: focus, belief and execution will decide who moves one step closer to AFCON glory.
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