Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has told his players the 3-1 win over Tanzania in Uyo counts for little unless they repeat it in Zanzibar on Tuesday, with Ademola Lookman’s knee now the main fitness question before the return leg.
Nigeria came from 1-1 at half-time at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, with substitute Tolu Arokodare scoring twice after the break. The result lifts the Super Eagles to six points from three Group L games, one behind Guinea-Bissau, who were held 1-1 by Madagascar on Thursday.
Tanzania are already through to AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, which leaves Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar chasing one remaining place.
Chelle: ‘The most important is the next game’
Chelle was frustrated by the equaliser, which came after Alhassan Yusuf had put Nigeria ahead inside two minutes. Speaking at his post-match press conference, as reported by Pulse Nigeria, he said his side had handed Tanzania a way back into the game.
“They have nothing, and you give them something to eat. So they took it.”
Chelle was quick to move the focus on to the second leg.
“We have to go to Tanzania to win this game. So I’m happy for the players because, you know, it’s not easy,” he added. “But the reality is nothing. We have the second game after. The most important is the next game.”
Lookman’s knee and a growing treatment list
Lookman, who set up Yusuf’s opener, was withdrawn in first-half stoppage time and replaced by Moses Simon. Chelle explained the change afterwards, in comments reported by Sports247.
“His knee started to feel bad. He took a knock on his knee. This is why he had to go out of the pitch.”
The coach gave no indication of how serious the knock is, and the Atlético Madrid forward’s fitness will be assessed before the trip to Zanzibar. Pulse Nigeria also reported that Calvin Bassey looked uncomfortable before he was substituted, and that centre-back Benjamin Fredrick needed treatment before carrying on.
Analysis: Chelle is right to call it nothing
The table explains Chelle’s tone. Six points from three games is a recovery after the 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau, not a lead, and Guinea-Bissau still sit a point clear.
That makes Zanzibar the game that decides whether Uyo meant anything. A win would keep the pressure on Guinea-Bissau going into the remaining games, and anything less would hand them control of the only qualifying place still open.
The second half on Friday also showed where Chelle’s options lie if Lookman is missing. Arokodare and Moses Usor, both introduced at the break, changed the shape of the attack, and Simon played the whole second half in Lookman’s place. The bench is deep enough to cover one absence, but a list that also includes Bassey and Fredrick would test the back line far more than the front.
The build-up to the window is in Chelle’s words before the first leg. The squad now travels to East Africa for Tuesday’s return at the Amaan Stadium, and the first fitness news on Lookman will shape how he sets up his side there.
