The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured three wins from their three group stage games at the AFCON 2025 tournament.
A 2-1 win against Tanzania on the opening matchday, however rocky, set the tone for how the rest of the group stage games would go.
While there was a bit of tension before the game against Tunisia, Nigeria emerged on top with a 3-2 scoreline before ensuring formality against Uganda.
With the knockout round on the horizon, Soccernet.ng highlights what worked well for Nigeria during the group phase, and what could’ve been done better.
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Super Eagles’ Group Stage Verdict: What Worked
1. Fielding Frank Onyeka against Tunisia
Eric Chelle chose to start the game against Tanzania with Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi in a midfield pivot, but tweaked the setup against Tunisia.
With Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman pressing the Tunisian defence in a front three, the Franco-Malian tactician brought in Onyeka to keep the energy up and do the running, freeing Iwobi of defensive responsibilities while Ndidi had much less ground to cover because of the inclusion of the former Brentford man.
2. Competition between Zaidu and Onyemaechi
Zaidu Sanusi had a dreadful performance in Nigeria’s outing against Tanzania. His loss of focus in defence led to Tanzania’s goal, while his crosses were far from useful in the final third.
Typically, Onyemaechi isn’t much better in the final phase of play, but seeing Zaidu’s performance against Tanzania, the Olympiacos full-back stepped into the starting eleven against Tunisia with a point to prove.
He was solid against Sami Trabelsi’s side, and his pocket-pass against Uganda led to Paul Onuachu’s opener.
3. Rotating against Uganda
With qualification to the knockout round confirmed, Eric Chelle opted to bring in some squad players and the decision paid off as many Nigerians were able to see the ability of the not-so-regular players who did well to justify their inclusion in the manager’s AFCON 2025 squad list.
Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru all stood out amongst others, giving the manager options to try in the knockout stages when his initial plan doesn’t go as predicted.
4. Playing to Alex Iwobi’s strengths
During the AFCON 2023 tournament under Jose Peseiro, Iwobi was one of the most scrutinised players. So much so that he had to take down his social media for a while after the tournament.
The AFCON 2025 has seen Iwobi’s praises sung by all and sundry. Chelle has managed to play to the strength of the former Arsenal man by freeing him of defensive workload.
Although he plays deeper than he would normally prefer, Iwobi helps the team progress the ball forward with line-breaking passes that no other player in the squad, respectfully, can replicate.
Super Eagles’ Group Stage Verdict: What didn’t work
1. Playing Stanley Nwabali despite injuries
Nigeria failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their three group stage games, and that raised questions about their defensive stability.
Stanley Nwabali struggled with mobility against Tanzania and Tunisia, as he could’ve done better in saving two of the three goals he conceded.
After the win against Tunisia, the Chippa United goalie revealed he’d been struggling with injuries. Situations like this are what Eric Chelle has to curb, as an injured goalkeeper can cost his team a game, and in a knockout round, that could mean elimination from the tournament.
2. Zaidu Sanusi’s indiscipline
Offensively, the FC Porto full-back gets into good positions, but his decision-making has let the team down many times aplenty.
His crosses are either overhit or underhit. He finds a low cutback when he should’ve done the opposite, and crosses the ball high when no one is in position.
Defensively, he allows wingers to get the better side of him, like against Tanzania.
3. Eric Chelle’s in-game management against Tunisia
Everything that happened in Nigeria’s setup until the 70th minute against Tunisia was spot on. However, Chelle opted to take Frank Onyeka and Akor Adams out, replacing them with Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon.
In his words, he wanted to open the game up and stretch the opponents, despite being three goals up.
Then Tunisia responded to Chelle’s decision with two goals. Luckily, the Super Eagles were able to hang on; else, the story might have been a different one.
In the knockout round, in-game management could make or mar the outcome of a fixture, and Chelle has to get his choices spot on from now till the end of the AFCON tournament in Morocco.