Nigeria need to disregard outside noise and stay focused on their Africa Cup of Nations campaign after missing out on qualifying for next year’s World Cup, coach Eric Chelle said on Monday.

The Super Eagles win Tanzania in their opening Group C game on Tuesday, and the Malian coach urged his players to put behind them the disappointment of failing to reach the World Cup playoffs following defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo in November.

Nigeria face challenges in defence due to injuries and the retirement of veteran William Troost-Ekong before the AFCON, but the 48-year-old coach expressed full confidence in his squad.

The 2023 Nations Cup runners-up will also play Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda three days later in the group stage.