Super Eagles flying high imagine your coach staying ice-cool under knockout pressure while Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika fire blanks to crush Uganda 3-1. Nigeria’s topping Group C with max points, and Eric Chelle can’t wait for the Round of 16 fireworks.
The Malian gaffer made bold swaps, starting Onuachu over Akor Adams, and it paid off big time. “Playing Round of 16 brings pressure, but I’m excited,” Chelle told NAN in Fès. Staying put in the calm city has kept the squad laser-focused: “The town, hotel, people—perfect for concentration,” he said, shrugging off Morocco’s biting cold during daily pitch sessions.
Chelle’s touchline chill? “I’m calmer than last AFCON—experience helps me stay focused,” he grinned. His risky tactics against Uganda clicked: “We tried something new, scored three, and it worked. But we must keep improving.” Selection headaches are sweet now—everyone’s balling, making picks tough.
Nigeria faces a Group F third-placer (maybe champs Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, or Mozambique) on Jan. 5 in Fès. Meanwhile, Tanzania grabs their first-ever knockout spot via a 1-1 with Tunisia, setting up a clash with hosts Morocco.
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