Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said that managing expectations is an unavoidable part of leading Nigeria’s national team.
Speaking ahead of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match, he insisted his players must stay mentally composed to establish control in Group L from the first whistle.
“We don’t manage the pressure. We try to deal with the pressure. This is our job. The pressure is a part of the job,” Chelle stated during his pre-match press conference.
Addressing Nigeria’s qualification campaign, Chelle stressed the importance of avoiding the slow starts that hampered previous tournament efforts. Recalling their difficult start during the last World Cup qualifying series, he expressed full confidence in the current squad’s ambition and focus.
“We know the experiences of the last World Cup. We started really, really poor, really bad. It will never happen again because this is a focused team,” the Franco-Malian tactician declared.
Chelle highlighted the squad’s high standing across the continent while warning against complacency against Madagascar, recalling the Barea’s 2-0 victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
The head coach also confirmed he would manage the goalkeeping selection following Maduka Okoye’s late arrival from Udinese, adding that despite a string of squad injuries, Nigeria possesses the necessary depth to secure maximum points in Uyo.