Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained the decision to restrict media access to the team’s training sessions ahead of their AFCON 2025 Round of 16 clash against Mozambique, insisting the move was purely to maintain focus within the squad.
Chelle addressed the issue on Sunday while speaking at the pre-match press conference in Fes, following widespread debate on social media after Nigerian journalists in Morocco were denied access to some Super Eagles training sessions in the build-up to the crucial knockout encounter.
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The Malian tactician stressed that the decision was not targeted at the media but aimed at ensuring maximum concentration as the tournament enters its decisive stage.
Nigeria will face Mozambique on Monday night, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 pm, as both sides battle for a place in the quarter-final.
According to the coach understanding had already been reached with team officials before the start of the competition regarding media access to training.
“Out of respect for this country and for Nigerian journalists, we spoke before the AFCON and agreed that journalists would be allowed to attend two training sessions per week,” Chelle explained. “For me, that is a good deal.”
However, the Super Eagles coach noted that deeper into the competition, privacy becomes essential for effective preparation.
“We are not on holiday. I have to take care of my players and focus on our work,” he said. “This is not against you. I want my team to stay focused. We have a goal, we have an objective.”
Chelle added that opening every training session to the media could lead to distractions and negatively impact the team’s preparations.
“If I open all training sessions, and the team loses, people will later say, ‘Eric is crazy, he opens the door every time. Everybody needs to stay calm,” he noted.
“This is to protect my players and keep them focused.”
The coach also revealed that similar measures are in place at the team hotel, where access to players is controlled to allow for adequate rest and mental readiness.
Nigeria go into Monday’s encounter on the back of an impressive group-stage performance and will be aiming to continue their quest for continental glory when they face Mozambique with a quarter-final spot at stake.
Eric Chelle took charge of the team to rescue the team from the poor start to the 2026 FIFA’s World Cup qualifying campaign but failed in his to qualify the country for the World Cup and winning the 2025 AFCON is widely regarded among the fans as an adequate compensation for the painful miss.
