Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu believes the team remain calm and are under no pressure ahead of their clash against Tanzania tomorrow, SportPremi reports.
The three-time African champions begin their chase for a fourth crown against Tanzania in their opening group C clash on Tuesday evening, with focus on achieving maximum points from the encounter.
The Super Eagles head into the tournament as massive favorites due to the quality in their squad, with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey among the best players in the continent.
The team will however be wary of falling short of expectations, as they experienced in their last AFCON outing and also for the World Cup.
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Nigeria reached the final of the previous edition in Ivory Coast and looked set to win a long-awaited fourth title after taking the lead through William Troost-Ekong.
The Elephants scored twice to seal victory and broke the hearts of Nigerians all over the world.
Further setback followed last month after the country failed in their bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, missing the showpiece event for a second successive edition, following their absence from the Qatar 2022 edition.
Onuachu eyes good outing against Tanzania
Onuachu has been in scintillating form for Trabzonspor this season, sparking the club’s title chase with his goalscoring feats.
The 31-year-old earned a recall to the team after being left out of the previous squads and will be eyeing an important role in Morocco as the Super Eagles chase a fourth African title.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Tanzania on Tuesday, the striker expressed readiness for the tournament, playing down any form of pressure on himself and the team.
“I mean no, as a football player that’s what it comes with. I mean a lot of people speak. So, I mean you know we are used to it. To be honest, I don’t feel any kind of pressure. It’s football, it’s fans. When you do good they say good thing about you”, Onuachu revealed.
“So when you don’t perform they try to push you to encourage you to perform. So, I mean I don’t feel any pressure. I just have to keep doing what I know how to do best.
Not much different from the trainers especially two days before the game. It’s always the same routine, some light session, some set pieces and tactic before the game.
“I don’t think there’s any different preparation between the club and the national team,” he added.
Nigeria and Tanzania go head to head in their group C opener at the Fez Stadium on Tuesday, with both sides eyeing winning start to the 2025 AFCON campaigns.
