One of the standout quarterfinal fixtures of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will see Nigeria's Super Eagles face Algeria's Desert Warriors at the Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh.

The Super Eagles are the tournament's most prolific attacking side, having scored 12 goals shared among seven different players. 

In contrast, the Greens have built their campaign on defensive solidity, emerging as the competition's best defensive team with just one goal conceded so far.

Nigeria's build-up to Saturday's encounter has been overshadowed by an off-field bonus dispute, which resulted in the players skipping training ahead of Thursday's trip to Marrakesh.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Chelle was asked about the challenge of shifting the squad from negative to positive energy in light of issues surrounding the team, including disputes with the Nigeria Football Federation. 

"This is my job, to try to stay focused only on the pitch, not around it. You can talk about the energy and you can talk about the state of mind, which is the most important thing," Chelle told reporters. 

Chelle praised the unity within the Super Eagles camp, highlighting the solidarity shown by the players despite the challenges they have faced.

"The group has stayed with great solidarity, so every time you do something, there are some good things and bad things, but you have to stay focused. The most important thing is your objective and the group.

"In that case, our state of mind is good. We are physically ready. Tactically, I have to make choices, and technically we are ready too."

He also reiterated his stance on off-field matters, stressing that they should be addressed by the appropriate authorities rather than the coaching staff.

"Once again, what happens around this team, I just want to talk about the pitch. If you have other questions, ask my Federation. 

"I try to stay focused on the pitch and bring my best, my motivation, to this group."

Nigeria and Algeria have won a combined five Africa Cup of Nations titles, with the Super Eagles last lifting the trophy in 2013, while the North Africans claimed their most recent triumph in 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel