Eric Chelle reveals what Nigeria must do to overcome Tanzania
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Eric Chelle believes Nigeria must bring intensity, aggression, and the right mentality to overcome Tanzania in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Speaking exclusively to Foot Africa ahead of Friday's encounter in Uyo.
Chelle warns Nigeria about Tanzania's lack of pressure
Chelle believes Tanzania's biggest advantage is that they can approach the encounter without the same level of pressure facing the hosts.
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The Nigerian coach said the Taifa Stars are capable of playing freely and will arrive prepared to deliver a strong performance.
"About the game tomorrow, this is the most important thing. So what about Tanzania? So first, the biggest strength is there is no pressure for them. Because it's easy for them to play a game actually.
"They work on it. They are ready to make a good game. This is why the technical director said, OK, we don't care about this national team. So it's easy to play a game when there is no, there is nothing around the game."
Super Eagles must start with intensity and aggression
Chelle revealed that his technical crew had already developed a plan for the encounter, but stressed that the players must execute it with the right attitude from the opening minutes.
"Now they are ready. We work since a few days with the national team. We have our plan. We just need to be very focused on that plan.
"We have to, we need to have a great state of mind to start the game with a lot of intensity and aggressivity. And after, we'll see how is the game because, you know, everything can happen during a game. So we have to be very focused and just go forward."
The coach also addressed his earlier comments about the Super Eagles' experience in Guinea-Bissau, explaining that his message about creating pressure for visiting teams in Nigeria was deliberate.
He said visiting teams should understand that playing in Nigeria is not a holiday and should feel the same pressure that the Super Eagles experience when travelling to other countries.
"I think, I don't want to say, OK, guys, you have to beat them. I don't want to say that, but you have to put some pressure on them. Of course, of course. So it was for that."
Nigeria host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, in their third Group L match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
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