Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Eric Chelle, has said that his team faced some difficulties ahead of the last 2026 World Cup qualifying game against Benin Republic.
Nigeria welcome their neighbours, Benin for Tuesday’s crucial World Cup qualifying match in Uyo.
Going into Tuesday’s clash, Eric Chelle’s side sit third in Group C with fourteen points.
Nigeria can still claim top spot in Group C with a win over the Cheetahs if South Africa stumble against Rwanda in the other fixture.
Chelle said he has not had the required amount of time to properly train and prepare his boys tactically for the all-important clash.
On their return from South Africa after the game against Lesotho, the team’s flight was delayed in Luanda for a day after a cracked windscreen grounded the plane.
Addressing newsmen ahead of the game, the Malian said, “This camp was very difficult because we didn’t have many training sessions due to visa issues and flight delays. We only managed to train on Monday.
“My first instinct is to bring something positive to my players, that’s the most important thing.
“That’s why I said we need to push these guys, especially mentally. For our second training session, I will try to add something positive again.
“I have to speak my mind to the players. I need to think about this game first, we need to win. If I say maybe two or three goals, something could happen during the game.
“I need to think about every aspect of the game. We need to stay focused on our game plan and on how our players are feeling, at this moment, tomorrow morning, in the afternoon, and before the match.
“We need to check everything. Like I said, we come first, and after that, my group, our game project, and the match itself.”
Nigeria is expected to attack the Cheetahs from the first blast of the whistle and also watch the back in case of a counterattack from hungry Gernot Rohr’s men.