Coach Eric Chelle say Nigeria gats block outside noise make dem remain focused for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign after dem miss qualifying for next year's World Cup.

Super Eagles go play Tanzania for their opening Group C game on Tuesday, and the Malian coach urge the players make dem put away the disappointment wey dem get after dem fail reach the World Cup playoffs following the defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in November.

"We prefer make we dey focused all the time. I tell the players make dem concentrate on themselves and on our development project. Na the most important thing we get," Chelle talk for press conference.

"We be our first opponent, we gats focus on ourselves and comot outside noise. Of course, to miss the World Cup pain."

Problems for defence

"We dey here to win this first game. We get tournament to play and we dey here to be ambitious. I no get time to dey think about wetin happen before. I prefer make I remain focused on wetin dey happen now," he add.

Nigeria get wahala for defence because some players dey injured and veteran William Troost-Ekong retire before AFCON, but the 48-year-old coach talk say he get full confidence for him squad.

The 2023 Nations Cup runners-up go still play Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda three days later for the group stage.