Eric Chelle’s squad began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal, with Christian Gomis netting the decisive goal in Zanzibar City.
To keep their title aspirations alive, they need to overcome the determined Falcons of Jediane, who let a lead slip to finish with a 1-1 draw against Congo.
Drawing on his faith in the team’s capabilities, the former Sunshine Stars and FC Tulsa star urges the team to learn from their errors against the Lions of Teranga and approach every upcoming match with the mindset of a final showdown.
"The Super Eagles must learn from their mistakes in the opening game. In a tournament of this scale, losing the first match means that every following game becomes critical," Kwambe told Flashscore.
"The match against Sudan should be treated like a cup final, with the team focused and determined right from the referee’s first whistle.
"Indeed, each remaining match should be approached with the intensity and urgency of a final until they reach the actual final.
"While the game against Senegal is behind them, the team can still reflect on what went wrong and make the necessary adjustments. By correcting those mistakes, they can avoid repeating them and keep their hopes of progressing alive."
A victory over Kwesi Appiah’s side and the Congolese national team would secure the Super Eagles a spot in the quarter-finals, where they could meet one of the co-hosts: Uganda, Algeria, South Africa, Niger Republic, or Guinea.
Never underestimate the Super Eagles
Nigeria returns to the competition after missing the last two editions in Cameroon and Algeria. For context, the Super Eagles were runners-up in their last appearance.
Arriving at CHAN 2024 with hopes of finally lifting the prestigious trophy, their campaign faced an early setback with an opening-day loss to Senegal; a result that raised questions about their ambitions.
Still, defender Kwambe remains hopeful, recalling the 2014 CHAN, where his team also faltered in their first match yet went on to secure third place.
"Looking at the group, it’s quite open, and a win against Sudan would almost guarantee progression to the next round," Kwambe continued.
"If I had the opportunity to speak with the players, I’d share my own experiences from South Africa. After we lost our opening game against Mali, it felt like the world was against us.
"However, we rebounded by defeating Mozambique in the second match, and that victory bolstered our confidence, enabling us to finish the competition strongly.
"I would advise the team not to count themselves out or accept defeat too soon. There is still plenty of football left to play, and their ambitions are very much within reach.
"With the right mindset and determination, they can turn things around and make a deep run in the tournament. It’s all about staying focused and believing in their ability to succeed."
The Lobi Stars captain also addressed criticisms that coach Chelle had not chosen the best talents from the Nigerian top flight for the tournament, urging the players in camp to seize the moment and maximize their international opportunity.
Kwambe added: "The negative feedback from fans mainly stems from the loss against Senegal. Had we won that match, the response would have been quite different.
"Moreover, selecting players for the national team in Nigeria is always a challenging endeavor, similar to Brazil and other football powerhouses.
"This country (Nigeria) is blessed with a wealth of talented players, making it difficult to choose the absolute best. Every player has their moment to shine, and right now, this is their time.
"They must embrace it with confidence, regardless of what critics say. This is their chance to prove themselves on a significant stage. They should focus on being excellent representatives for the country and give their utmost effort in every game.
"The support and belief from fans matter, but ultimately, the players need to remain committed and dedicated to making the nation proud."
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