Nigeria’s Super Eagles will hold closed-door training sessions on Thursday and Friday as they intensify preparations for their second-round clash with Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The development was confirmed by the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, who disclosed that head coach Eric Chelle opted for private sessions to allow the team prepare without distractions.
According to Efoghe, Chelle believes the closed training will help the players focus fully as they fine-tune strategies ahead of the encounter.
The Super Eagles topped Group C with a perfect nine points after recording victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
They will now take on Mozambique, who advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition.
The upcoming fixture will mark the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Mozambique. Their first encounter was at the 2010 tournament in Angola, where the Super Eagles secured a convincing 3–0 victory in the group stage.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain, Victor Osimhen has sent a bold warning to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations rivals, declaring that the team is capable of “trampling on any team” as they pursue their first continental title in 13 years.Nigerian Travel Packages
Nigeria sealed a perfect group-stage campaign with a commanding 3–1 victory over Uganda, despite fielding a largely second-string side. The result ensured three wins from three matches, only the fourth time the Super Eagles have achieved that feat in their AFCON history.
Victories over Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda have underlined Nigeria’s credentials as one of the tournament’s most dangerous sides, according to the Galatasaray striker.
“Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites,” Osimhen said after the match. “We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not, we can trample on any team because this team has the quality to do damage to any opponent.”
Nigeria will face Mozambique in the Round of 16 on January 5.
Despite his confident remarks, Osimhen stressed the importance of humility and focus as the competition enters the knockout phase.
“We respect every team that progresses to the next round,” he said. “The Round of 16 will be tougher than the group stage, so the boys are ready to give everything. We respect any team we meet, but we are not scared of anybody.”
The Super Eagles have not lifted the AFCON trophy since 2013, finishing runners-up at the last edition after losing to hosts Ivory Coast in the final. Osimhen said ending that drought would mean everything to the team and the country.
“It will mean a lot, not just to me but to the whole team and to Nigeria. It has been a long time since this trophy came to Nigeria, and every training session we remind ourselves that we came here to win it,” he said.Nigerian Travel Packages
However, the striker cautioned against getting carried away by early success. “We don’t get carried away by the hype. There is still a lot of work to do. We are taking it game by game.”
Osimhen’s comments carried extra weight as he wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his international career against Uganda, leading a heavily rotated side after coach Eric Chelle made several changes.
“It feels good,” he said. “It comes with huge responsibility, but it helped me understand why the captain feels so happy whenever we win.”
Addressing doubts about his temperament and leadership, Osimhen said his focus was on motivating his teammates and executing the coach’s instructions.
“For me, it was important to lead the boys the right way and give them the motivation they needed, especially those starting their first game of the tournament,” he said.
Despite being one booking away from suspension, Osimhen started the match and delivered a disciplined performance before being substituted late on.
“I can’t question the coach’s tactics,” he added. “If he wants me to play, I’m ready. If I’m on the bench, that’s fine too. Whenever I’m called upon, I give my best.”
