By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
As Nigeria prepares for its Round of 16 showdown at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that the depth of his squad is giving him a welcome selection dilemma.
The Super Eagles wrapped up their group stage campaign with a commanding 3–1 victory over Uganda in Fes, finishing top of Group C with a perfect record. The win, which featured a largely rotated side, further complicated Chelle’s task of picking his starting XI for the knockout stage.
“I have a little pain in my head choosing the best 11 because everyone in the squad can perform – even taking risks like playing Osimhen,” Chelle told reporters post-match. “The players who didn’t feature in the first two games proved today that they are equally up to the task.”
Chelle refused to compare the team that started against Uganda with those in the earlier group games, instead praising the overall quality and discipline of the squad.
“I am happy that we scored three goals, but if we want to be ambitious, we have to continue to improve,” he added. “Game management has been key – especially in handling pressure after taking the lead in matches.”
While Nigeria’s attacking output has been impressive, scoring eight goals in the group stage, Chelle is also placing strong emphasis on tightening up defensively.
“When you score a lot of goals, you must also try not to concede. If you want to score more goals, you have to take more risks, but we must be balanced,” he said.
Nigeria will now face one of the best third-placed teams from Groups A, B, or F in the Round of 16. Depending on final group results, potential opponents include Cameroon, Mozambique, or Angola.
The knockout stage begins Saturday, January 3, 2026, with the Super Eagles aiming to build on their strong group stage performance and push for a fourth continental title.
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