Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has immediately shifted his team's focus to the next challenge, despite a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique that secured Nigeria's place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
No Time for Celebration, Says Chelle
Speaking to journalists after the match at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on 7 January 2026, Chelle tempered the excitement from the big win. He reminded everyone that the ultimate goal is still far away. "I’m happy with the victory, of course, but we have to be honest with ourselves. We have done nothing yet," the coach stated firmly.
He emphasized that ambition requires sustained effort. "We have simply won one game. If we want to be ambitious, we must continue to improve and maintain this level of quality on the pitch. Football is about consistency," Chelle added, setting a clear standard for his squad.
Praise for a Dominant Performance
Chelle did, however, commend his players for a near-flawless execution of the game plan against Mozambique. He highlighted two key aspects that led to their success.
"Today, I want to give credit to my team. We were very good in possession. We controlled the ball throughout the entire first half," he noted. The coach was particularly pleased with the team's reaction to losing the ball. "Every time we lost the ball, we applied strong pressure on the opponent. We succeeded because we put in all the right ingredients."
Unmatched Attacking Firepower
The statistics from Nigeria's campaign in Morocco 2025 are formidable and underscore the team's threat. After four games, the Super Eagles have found the net an impressive 12 times.
What makes this attacking record more remarkable is the spread of scorers. As many as seven different players have contributed goals, showcasing a multi-faceted attack that is difficult for any defense to contain.
Leading the charge are forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who are tied at the top of Nigeria's scoring chart with three goals each.
The Road Ahead: Algeria Awaits
The celebration for the Mozambique win will be brief, as a massive challenge looms. The Super Eagles are now set to face North African giants Algeria in the quarterfinals.
This crucial knockout match is scheduled to take place later this week in the city of Marrakech. Chelle's message of consistency and focus will be put to the ultimate test against one of the continent's football powerhouses.
The coach's immediate call for level-headedness indicates a team that, while confident, understands the increasing difficulty of the task ahead as they pursue AFCON glory.
