Eric Chelle enforces strict measures in Uyo as Super Eagles prepare for Zimbabwe showdown

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has imposed restrictions on journalists and media activity around Nigeria’s camp in Uyo as the team prepares for their all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash with Zimbabwe, Footynaija.com reports.

Nigeria is set to host the Warriors, who currently sit rock-bottom of group C at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday, March 25 and they will head into the game off the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over Rwanda at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.

Despite Friday’s win and the new lease of life Nigeria’s qualification hopes has received, Chelle is wary of the distractions media attention can bring and wants his squad to be fully focused in their preparations for the Zimbabwe clash.

In light of this, the Franco-Malian boss has barred visitors and journalists from the Super Eagles Camp in Uyo, effecting the ban shortly after the squad’s arrival from Kigali on Saturday. Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe confirmed the decision on Sunday morning.

“The Eagles are back home and have started preparing for Tuesday’s fixture,” Efoghe said as quoted by ESUT Monitor. 

“Coach Eric Chelle is not carried away by the win over Rwanda and is demanding maximum concentration from the players prior to the next game.

“To this end, he has imposed restrictions in and around the team’s camp, no visitors, no journalists. The team is expected to train twice today out of media coverage.

“Sunday’s training is closed. Monday’s session will be opened for the mandatory 15 minutes and this will be shortly after the official press conference.

“Provisions will be made for mixed zone interaction with the players on match day.”

A must-win game

With South Africa and Benin, who currently occupy first and second place in group C set to cancel each other out on Tuesday, the Super Eagles must take full advantage and further improve their position on the standings. Simply put, anything short of a win against the Warriors of Zimbabwe will be considered a poor result for Eric Chelle’s charges.