Samuel Chukwueze has warned that Nigeria must not drop their standards as the Super Eagles prepare for a decisive Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 meeting with Mozambique, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Villarreal winger maintains that the the three-time African champions remain fully focused on their title ambition, despite the challenge of the tricky Mambas.
Nigeria face Mozambique on Monday night in Fes with a place in the AFCON quarter-finals at stake, and while the Super Eagles are widely regarded as favourites, Samuel Chukwueze has stressed the need for discipline, respect and maximum commitment.
The winger, one of Nigeria’s stan
dout performers in the group stage, spoke during the team’s final training session on Sunday. Chukwueze voiced the calm confidence within the squad as they enter the knockout phase of the tournament.
Nigeria are chasing a fourth continental crown, while Mozambique are appearing in the AFCON knockout stages for the first time in their history.
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Samuel Chukwueze: “We must approach it like a final”
Chukwueze, who plays his club football with Fulham in England, said Nigeria’s approach must reflect the expectations placed on them, regardless of their opponents’ pedigree.
“We have to give Mozambique the respect they deserve and focus on our own game. We have already set the standard from the group stage, and now we must give everything, approaching the match as if it were a final, because we are expected to win,” Chukwueze said.
The 26-year-old also pointed to the unity and readiness within the Super Eagles camp, suggesting that head coach Eric Chelle has a fully engaged squad at his disposal.
“We are very calm. We know where we have come from and we know we are ready to face anything. The players starting the match and those coming off the bench are all ready to give everything. It does not matter who we are playing. The team is ready,” he added.
Nigeria’s confidence is backed by their performances so far at the tournament, with Chukwueze emerging as one of the team’s most influential creative outlets.
In two starts, he has averaged 74 minutes per game and provided two assists, both coming in the Super Eagles’ 3-1 group-stage victory over Uganda. In that match, he created five chances and completed seven line-breaking passes, the highest figures recorded in the game.
The winger has now recorded four goal involvements across 16 AFCON appearances, with this tournament marking the first time he has managed more than one in a single edition.
His efficiency in possession has also stood out, completing 93 per cent of his passes overall, with a perfect success rate in his own half and 90 per cent accuracy in the opposition half.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s momentum, Chukwueze said, “As you can see from the last three games, the team is prepared to push and ensure that we achieve our objective.”
The round-of-16 clash will be played at the Fez Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm Nigerian time.
