Pre-match presser: Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle on pressure, Sudan, must-win scenario, ambitions

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has stressed the importance of securing victory when Nigeria face Sudan in their crucial 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group D match on Tuesday.

The home-based Eagles are under pressure after starting their campaign with a 1-0 loss to defending champions Senegal.

"I just want to win a game. And with my game project, I know that this game project will ask a lot of intensity, a lot of aggressivity," Chelle said during his pre-match press conference on Monday.

"So at the last moment in the game, I know that physically it will be difficult for us to stay ambitious,”

The coach made it clear that his focus is entirely on the next match rather than long-term objectives.

"We need to win this game against Sudan. But I don't want to talk about our ambitions.

"Our ambitions of the player, of the group — I just want to talk about this game. But if you talk with the player, you will see that we are ambitious."

Acknowledging the stakes, Chelle emphasised that the immediate task is to secure three points.

"The reality, we can say that we need to win tomorrow and after that we will see after the tournament. But the most important now is this game."

Chelle also admitted that there is significant pressure on the squad, especially after their opening defeat.

"I know we have a lot of pressure. It's normal because we are a great country, a great football country and we need to do better than we did for the last game. So we are focused on us again," he explained.

Despite the pressure, Chelle believes the team’s unity will be key in overcoming the challenge.

"The reality now, we are alone but we are together and around this game there is a lot of pressure.

"But it will be after the game, if we have the win, this game can bring something very good for the team," he concluded.

Nigeria will be aiming to keep their qualification hopes alive with a victory over Sudan, knowing that another defeat could leave their CHAN campaign hanging by a thread.

Wale Adejumo

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com