Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle described Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Mozambique as a “statement of intent” after a dominant performance in Fès on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Chelle said the victory — built on purpose, direction, urgency and clinical finishing — was an important step for the team. “I am happy about this game. This is an important victory with four goals to signal our statement of intent,” he said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen marked his 50th senior cap with a brace, while Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams added goals as the Super Eagles booked a place in the AFCON quarter-finals.
Chelle praised his players but warned against complacency, stressing that the win was only one match in a long campaign. “I am very happy and proud of my players. They played a great game, but this is only one game,” he said.
The coach confirmed immediate plans to fly to Marrakech on Wednesday to prepare for a tough quarter-final against either Algeria or DR Congo. He underlined the need to maintain intensity and aggression in training. “My duty now is to stay ambitious, train a lot, and maintain the intensity and aggressiveness of the team,” Chelle added.
Chelle also emphasised squad unity and discipline, saying internal matters would be handled behind closed doors. “What happens on the pitch stays in the group. My job is to keep the players focused,” he said.
From my analysis of the match footage and live performance dashboards — using event data and xG models to assess chance quality — Nigeria’s attacking play combined rapid transitions with effective off-ball movement, producing high-quality chances that the forwards finished clinically.
Chelle’s caution is customary at this stage of a tournament: big wins build momentum, but the tactical and physical demands rise in the knockout rounds. The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to Marrakech and the looming quarter-final test.
