Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has challenged his players to enhance their performance or risk an early exit from the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship taking place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Super Eagles B suffered a 1-0 defeat in their opening match of the championship against title holders Senegal at the Amman Stadium, Zanzibar, on Tuesday night, following a goal from Christian Kobi 15 minutes from time.
Ahead of the crucial second match against Sudan next Tuesday, Chelle urged his players to shift their mindset and elevate their game mentally. “We need to improve our state of mind. We must be more competitive and, once again, more aggressive,” Chelle told reporters. “We will see, in the games against Sudan and Congo, if we will play the same way. If we are apprehensive, we will return to Nigeria.”
According to Chelle, the players must now focus on their next Group D clash with Sudan. “This is the first match. We have two more games, but we need to change our mindset. We can’t play football if we lose every duel during the game,” he declared. “In the first half, we had no chances to score, so we need to be more aggressive.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena and defender Abdularafiu Taiwo are doubtful for Tuesday’s match against Sudan. Ozoemena missed the team’s 1-0 defeat to Senegal due to a knee issue, while left-back Taiwo, who started the Group D encounter, sustained a knock in the second half and was replaced by Harrison Uzondu in the 64th minute.
Both players missed the team’s recovery session on Wednesday morning, as confirmed by media officer Promise Efoghe. Sudan were held to a 1-1 draw by Congo Brazzaville in their opening game.
