SUPER Eagles B head coach Eric Chelle has insisted that his side are on course for the knockout rounds of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) even while dealing with the pressure of losing their opening match.
The home-based Nigeria squad are up against Sudan today in Zanzibar as they seek to bounce back from last week’s 1-0 defeat to Senegal that left them bottom of Group D.
Chelle’s side need victory to climb out of bottom spot, with Sudan having drawn their own opener with Congo.
“I just want to win this game against Sudan; this is my game project. We are under pressure but we are ambitious and must win,” Chelle, who also oversees the main Super Eagles squad, said during his pre-match press conference yesterday.
“This game is the most important for us because a win can bring something good for the team.”
Team captain Nduka Harrison Junior said: “We want to take each game as it comes, and next for us is Sudan. The previous game was a setback and not a disaster. We have a point to prove and we are ready to correct our mistakes.”
Sudan’s Ghanaian head coach Kwesu Appiah is also up for the challenge, boasting that his side are fearless.
“Nigeria is one of the biggest nations in African football and we respect them, but we won’t fear them,” the former Black Stars boss said.
“I don’t believe in any rivalry; this is a game and the best team will win. I have watched only one game of the Nigerian team and can’t assess them based on one game. I don’t see any player as a threat, but the entire team.”
The match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar is scheduled to kick off at 6pm Nigerian time.