Ahead of Nigeria’s final Group C match against Uganda at the Africa Cup of Nations, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that changes to his starting lineup are likely as he continues to manage his squad for the long haul of the tournament.
The Super Eagles will play today against Uganda, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm local time. The fixture marks the second meeting between both sides at the AFCON finals, coming 46 years after Uganda’s famous 2–1 semi-final victory over Nigeria at the 1978 tournament
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Chelle explained that his focus is on the strength of the entire squad rather than sticking rigidly to a settled starting eleven.
He noted that several players deserve opportunities and confirmed that final decisions would be made after the team’s last training session or on matchday morning.
“There are many players in this group who deserve to play, not only in this match but throughout the tournament,” Chelle said.
“What matters is the vision I have for this AFCON. I must protect some players and also give others a chance, because winning a tournament is about the whole group, not just eleven players.”
Nigeria face a highly motivated Uganda side that is chasing points, knowing a win would take them to four points and significantly improve their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.
“This competition is not about eleven starters,” he said. “Every player must be ready. Sometimes, the player who only plays five minutes can make the difference by scoring a late goal or delivering the decisive moment.”
He also stressed that rotation should not be seen as complacency or disrespect.
“This is about management, not disrespect for the tournament,” Chelle explained. “I want to put the best possible team on the pitch at this moment. We want to win, the players want to win, and everyone is focused on winning this game.”
Chelle further defended his substitution choices following criticism after Nigeria conceded late goals in their previous match, urging observers to consider the tactical context.
“We conceded the first goal before the substitution, not after,” he said. “When I make changes, I analyse what is happening on the pitch. We were playing a 4-4-2 diamond, which puts pressure on the full-backs.
My decision at that moment was, in my view, the right one.”
While admitting that the team would prefer more comfortable victories, Chelle highlighted Nigeria’s strong attacking form.
“Yes, maybe we wanted to win 3-0, but the reality is that we won 3-2 and scored three goals,” he said. “There were five goals in the match, and in our last four games we’ve scored around ten or twelve goals. That is very positive.”
Historically, Uganda hold a narrow advantage in the fixture, having won four of their eight meetings with Nigeria, while the Super Eagles have recorded two wins and two draws.
