Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has emphasized that his team is fully concentrated on their opening fixture against defending champions Senegal at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), avoiding any distractions about future group matches.
The Home Eagles will face Senegal at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, with the encounter scheduled to kick off at 6 pm Nigerian time. Nigeria is placed in a challenging group that also includes Sudan and Congo Brazzaville.
"I don't wanna talk about Congo or Sudan for now. Our focus is on our first match tomorrow (today), we wanna take each game as it comes and take it step by step," Chelle told reporters during the pre-match press conference.
The tactical approach highlights Chelle's determination to navigate the tournament methodically, particularly given that Senegal enters the competition as the title holders and presents a formidable challenge for the Nigerian side.
In a separate statement, the Home Eagles captain, Nduka, expressed the team's ambition to emulate the recent successes of other Nigerian national teams, particularly the Super Falcons and D'Tigress, who have made significant achievements in their respective competitions.
Meanwhile, the Senegalese camp has shown respect for their Nigerian opponents. The Senegalese coach indicated they would approach the match with humility despite their status as defending champions, while star player Malick has voiced their determination to secure victory against the Home Eagles.
Chelle has reportedly issued three specific warnings to his players regarding Senegal's historical performance in the competition, underscoring the importance of maintaining focus throughout the match.
The CHAN tournament, designed exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues, provides an important platform for home-based talents to showcase their abilities on the continental stage.
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