Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has dismissed concerns over a “selection headache” ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 match against Mozambique.
Despite standout performances from fringe players in the recent victory over Uganda, Chelle insists that training ground intensity not past reputation will dictate his starting XI.
After rotating his squad in the final Group C fixture, Chelle handed tournament debuts to Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Salim Lawal.
While players like Paul Onuachu and Francis Uzoho also stepped up to stake their claims, Chelle remains focused on current form.
“We’ve analyzed our three group games, but the training session is the ultimate deciding factor,” Chelle stated during his pre-match press conference. “If a player excels in training, they earn their spot. Our focus remains on our tactical project and how we prepare daily.”Nigeria enters the knockout stage with momentum after a perfect group stage run, securing nine points against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.