Africa-Press – Mozambique. Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has ordered a media blackout around the Super Eagles camp as preparations intensify for their Round of 16 encounter against Mozambique, a decision that has already sparked debate across the football community.
For three consecutive days, journalists and media professionals have been denied access to team training sessions, while interviews with players and coaching staff have been suspended. The move signals a deliberate shift toward isolation and internal focus at a critical stage of the Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The timing is significant. After Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, AFCON has taken on added importance as a platform to reconnect with supporters and rebuild national confidence. While some view the media freeze as a missed opportunity for engagement, others see it as a calculated attempt to shield the squad from pressure and distractions.
Chelle’s stance leaves little room for ambiguity: cut out the noise, sharpen the focus, and commit fully to the task at hand. With Mozambique standing between Nigeria and a place in the quarter-finals, the Super Eagles’ response on the pitch will ultimately determine whether this hardline approach delivers the desired result.
