Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle addressed media in Rabat on Tuesday ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semi‑final against hosts Morocco, acknowledging the unique challenge posed by the Atlas Lions while expressing confidence in his squad’s preparation and mindset.
Chelle opened his press briefing by underlining the magnitude of the encounter against one of the continent’s strongest teams, stressing that the Super Eagles are ready for the task ahead.
“It’s a big match against a great team. We are ready for tomorrow,” he stated, confirming Nigeria’s focus on performance rather than external distractions.
The Franco‑Malian coach emphasized that Morocco’s quality and home‑field advantage make them a formidable adversary, but insisted Nigeria is prepared to compete.
Chelle pointed out that the match against Morocco represents a significant step up after Nigeria’s quarter‑final win, and stressed that rapid tactical adjustment will be crucial:
“We played our last match against Algeria, and now we have a big game against a great team. We will enter the match gradually after our final training today,” he said.
During the briefing, Chelle also highlighted the importance of Alex Iwobi within the Super Eagles’ setup, describing him as a natural leader who enjoys his football and contributes significantly to the team’s rhythm and creativity.
Chelle hinted that Nigeria may adopt pragmatic tactical variations to counter Morocco’s strengths and handle the physical demands of a semi‑final clash, particularly after travel and recent fixtures.
Chelle also considered strategic scenarios such as letting Morocco have possession early while organizing Nigeria defensively, especially against a host side that plays with tempo and width.
Nigeria and Morocco are scheduled to meet on Wednesday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, with a spot in the AFCON final at stake.