Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle says his players are equipped to handle the weight of expectation surrounding the team as Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Nigeria enter the Group L opener needing a strong start after missing out on the 2026 World Cup, but Chelle insists neither that disappointment nor the pressure attached to coaching the Super Eagles will distract his squad.
“Pressure is part of our job,” Chelle said at Thursday’s pre-match press conference. “We want to stay focused on our group and our team. We have to be ready for the country.”
The Franco-Malian believes collecting points early is particularly important after Nigeria’s difficult World Cup qualifying campaign, when a late recovery was ultimately insufficient to secure a ticket.
“For us and the country, there is a big game tomorrow. We had our last training session today and we have prepared well for this game,” Chelle said.
Nigeria will be without injured Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, but Chelle retains several attacking options, including Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tolu Arokodare and first-time invitee George Ilenikhena.
Rather than lower expectations because of Osimhen’s absence, Chelle has challenged his players to demonstrate the quality he believes exists throughout the squad.
“For me, this is the best team in Africa,” he declared. “We are motivated. The first task is to give the signal to every country to know who Nigeria is.”
Nigeria face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium before travelling to Bissau to meet Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
For Chelle, Friday is therefore about more than handling pressure, it is an opportunity for the Super Eagles to put their World Cup disappointment behind them and establish control of their AFCON qualification journey from the opening match.
