Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has outlined the key lessons Nigeria must take from their opening match against Tanzania ahead of their crucial clash with Tunisia, insisting the team is focused, motivated and determined to make the most of their opportunities at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Reflecting on the Tanzania game, Dele-Bashiru identified efficiency in front of goal and concentration at the back as the major areas for improvement.

"I would say finishing our chances better because we found ourselves in very good positions against Tanzania, but we failed to convert some of those chances. Also staying focused defensively in order not to concede sloppy goals," Dele-Bashiru told reporters in Morocco.

Dele-Bashiru believes correcting those shortcomings will be vital against a more experienced opponent like Tunisia.

"If we can do this and we can play our game, we can get the victory."

On whether the Super Eagles are under pressure to deliver, Dele-Bashiru dismissed the idea, describing the situation instead as a source of motivation.

"I wouldn't know for everyone, I'm not taking it as pressure. We're taking it as an opportunity to prove ourselves, to make our country proud, and I think we're using it as motivation in this tournament to perform as well as we can."

Asked what sets the current Super Eagles squad apart, the Lazio man pointed to the depth and quality available to the coaching crew.

"We have so many top players in the team. In every position, whether it's the starting XI or the players on the bench, we have quality in every position and that's very important. 

"In tournament football, usually it's not always the team that starts the tournament that finish the tournament. It's very important to have top players in every position."

The Manchester City academy graduate also addressed suggestions that the tournament represents a chance for redemption after Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, stressing that the players are focused solely on the task at hand.

"Of course, we are disappointed about what happened with the World Cup qualifiers, but we are not really focusing on that right now. We're focusing on Afcon, which is what is ahead of us, trying to get the best result out of this AFCON."

While acknowledging the difference in opposition, he maintained that the Super Eagles’ approach against Tunisia will remain consistent.

"We're approaching it the same way. Of course playing our way, the way the coach wants us to play, and we've been working on what we didn't do well in the game against Tanzania, which we'll show in the match against Tunisia.

"We created a lot of chances and we were in a lot of dangerous positions against Tanzania, we didn't convert those chances. So we've worked on that and also defensively with the goal we conceded, there was a lapse of concentration, so we've worked on that as well."

On a lighter note, Dele-Bashiru revealed his closest companion in camp.

"Bright Osayi-Samuel. Not so much quiet, he's just got a mysterious persona, but he's not so quiet."

Finally, speaking about his deployment on the right wing on his Africa Cup of Nations debut, the versatile midfielder made it clear he is ready to contribute wherever needed.

"I'm a versatile player. Wherever the coach wants me to play, that's where I'll play. I am happy to play wherever he wants me."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel