Nigeria’s Super Eagles stepped up their preparations for their Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match against Mozambique with another closed training session on Monday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has opted for privacy over publicity in Nigeria’s build-up to the knockout encounter against the Mambas.
Journalists were again denied access to the team’s training on Saturday, extending a run of closed sessions that began on Thursday and continued on Friday. It is a move understood to be aimed at sharpening focus and protecting tactical plans ahead of the decisive fixture.
Nigeria face Mozambique on Monday evening at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. The winner progresses, while defeat brings an immediate end to the AFCON campaign.
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Super Eagles: Chelle prioritises focus and tactical secrecy
Sources close to the Super Eagles camp say the decision to shut out the media is deliberate, allowing players to prepare calmly without external distractions as pressure rises in the knockout phase of the tournament.
Closed sessions have also given Chelle and his technical crew the freedom to fine-tune tactical details, work on team shape and rehearse set-piece routines away from opposition eyes. With Mozambique expected to adopt a compact and disciplined approach, Nigeria’s coaching staff are keen to keep their strategic adjustments under wraps.
In line with CAF media regulations, the team will open the first 15 minutes of Sunday’s training session to accredited journalists, offering a brief glimpse of preparations before doors are firmly shut again.
Kick-off for Monday’s match is scheduled for 8:00pm Nigerian time, with fans hoping the Super Eagles’ disciplined approach off the pitch translates into control and victory on it.
CAF appoints Cameroonian officiating crew
Away from the training ground, the Confederation of African Football has confirmed the officials for the Round of 16 tie.
The continent’s number-one football body has appointed an all-Cameroonian refereeing crew to oversee the match between Nigeria and Mozambique.
Abdou Abdel Mefire will take charge as centre referee, supported by assistants Elvis Noupoue and Carine Atezambong.
Monday’s encounter will be only the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Mozambique. Their previous clash came at the 2010 tournament in Angola, where the Super Eagles produced a commanding performance to secure a 3–0 victory.