AFCON 2025: Chelle Demands Focus as Super Eagles Face Algeria in Marrakech

AFCON 2025: Chelle Demands Focus as Super Eagles Face Algeria in Marrakech
Nigeria face Algeria in AFCON quarter final in Marrakech on Saturday.
Mahrez expects a more open contest compared to Algeria’s last game.

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has urged his players to maintain total concentration as Nigeria prepares for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations quarter final clash against Algeria in Marrakech.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Nigeria will face the Desert Foxes on Saturday evening in a high stakes encounter, with a place in the semi finals of the AFCON tournament at stake.

The Super Eagles head into the tie in high spirits after defeating Mozambique in their last outing, while Algeria secured their quarter final place following a narrow 1 0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking ahead of the match, Chelle stressed that his players must avoid distractions as the team settles into its Moroccan base.

“I prefer to remain focused now on Marrakech, and there is a game to play, and after the game we can think about our accommodation,” Chelle said.

“The story starts in Marrakech, so we have to stay focused on Marrakech, training sessions, and the next game,” he added.

The quarter final encounter will be played at the Grande Stade Marrakech, with kick off scheduled for 5 pm Nigerian time.

On the Algerian side, captain Riyad Mahrez said his team is expecting a more open contest against Nigeria compared to their previous outing.

Algeria edged past DR Congo 1 0 in their last match but were forced into a hard fought battle before sealing qualification.

“In our next match, we will face a different opponent compared to DR Congo,” Mahrez told reporters on Friday.

“We expect the next match to be more open, which will give us more space to showcase our abilities, and we must be fully prepared,” he said.

Mahrez also has history against Nigeria, having scored the winning goal when Algeria defeated the Super Eagles in the semi final of the 2019 AFCON at the Cairo International Stadium.