2027 AFCON: Chelle confident Super Eagles will beat Tanzania in Uyo
By Johnpaul Alumona
Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will defeat Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Friday’s Matchday Three fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Uyo.
Chelle gave the assurance during a pre-match press conference in Uyo on Thursday.
He said the players were in good shape for the encounter, having completed a two-hour training session on Wednesday.
The coach acknowledged that some players arrived late but said the team had trained on Tuesday and completed a full session on Wednesday.
“I know the group and the players I selected. If we win, I take the credit, and if we lose, I take responsibility,” Chelle said.
He said the team had a clear plan and needed to remain focused, maintain the right mentality and approach the game with intensity and aggression.
Chelle said Tanzania had nothing at stake, adding that playing against such a team would be a good test for his players.
On the selection of players, particularly leaving out goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, he said his decisions were based on his assessment of the players and the team’s needs.
He said visiting teams should also experience the pressure the Super Eagles usually faced when playing away from home, recalling the intense pressure Nigeria experienced in Guinea-Bissau.
Chelle stressed that the players’ attitude and mentality would be crucial to the outcome of the match.
“The attitude and enthusiasm are very important. The state of mind of the players is the most important thing in a game,” he said.
Speaking on his performance at club and national team levels, Super Eagles striker, Tolu Arokodare, said he had made a good start at Ajax but was yet to score as many goals for Nigeria as he would have liked.
He said playing for a club and representing the national team required different approaches and styles, adding that he would continue working hard to improve.
“I haven’t really scored as much with the national team. But I think it’s fair to say that every time I’ve come here, whether playing or not, I’ve done my part in helping and supporting the team.
“We help each other improve, and obviously, the goals haven’t been coming as much as they do at club level. But, as we all know, playing for your country and playing for a club are different, with different styles and dynamics,” Arokodare said.
He said he would remain patient and positive while working towards replicating his club form with the national team.
Arokodare added that the players understood what was at stake and would work together to secure maximum points for Nigeria on Friday.
On his part, Miguel Ángel Gamondi, Head Coach of Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, acknowledged Nigeria’s attacking strength and pedigree, saying his team would need to be realistic and work harder to contain the Super Eagles.
He, however, said Tanzania would not approach the encounter with fear or adopt an entirely defensive strategy.
“Our mentality is not to play defensive football; we will also attack Nigeria.
“We cannot afford to make mistakes in a match like this because we will be punished for any error,” he said.
Gamondi said his team had demonstrated tactical discipline during the AFCON and would give its best against Nigeria.
He acknowledged that Tanzania had already qualified for the tournament but said securing a victory against Nigeria would be a significant achievement for his team.(NAN)
IPA/KOO