Nigeria’s Super Eagles have shut out the media from key training sessions as preparations intensify for their Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 showdown against Mozambique.
Head coach Éric Chelle ordered that Thursday and Friday training sessions be held behind closed doors, citing the need for focus and uninterrupted tactical work as the knockout phase approaches.
Sources within the team’s camp confirmed that the decision was deliberate, with Chelle keen to spend exclusive time with his players as pressure mounts at the tournament.
The French-born tactician believes limiting external distractions at this stage will sharpen concentration and help fine-tune strategies ahead of the decisive encounter.
Media access is expected to resume later in the week, with journalists allowed to observe training sessions scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Nigeria have emerged as one of the most entertaining sides at AFCON 2025, storming through the group stage with three wins from three matches and registering the tournament’s highest goal tally so far, with eight goals scored.
The Super Eagles will face Mozambique on Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake and expectations firmly on Chelle’s free-scoring squad.
