Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle shared how he changed his team’s formation to beat Madagascar’s tight defence in Nigeria’s 2-1 comeback win in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener on Friday.
Nigeria fell behind when Ehsan Kari scored for Madagascar in the 15th minute at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
George Ilenikhena equalized just before half-time, and another debutant, Moses Usor, sealed the comeback in the 65th minute.
Chelle noted that Madagascar’s choice to defend deeply made it hard for Nigeria to break through the middle, which led him to change his strategy.
From diamond to 4-2-3-1
The coach explained that Nigeria started in a diamond formation but found it tough to create chances against Madagascar’s low block.
“In the first half, we started with a diamond. I don’t know if you saw it. We started the game like that, and like I said, they put a low block; they were very compact inside, so it was difficult to bring the game inside,” Chelle said at the post-match press conference.
He added that Nigeria first tried to shoot from long range before switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation to take advantage of the flanks.
“So, we started with shots to manage that situation, and this is why, at the end of the half, you saw him on the line. After that, we passed into a 4-2-3-1 because when you play against a low block, you have to pass by the side, by the side, to make some crosses. This is why we changed the system.”
This change helped Nigeria create more chances, and Ilenikhena scored to level the match before Usor found the net after the break.
Chelle admits room for improvement
Even with the three points, Chelle felt Nigeria's performance could improve.
“This game was not bad, but not good either. We made the first mistake, and that is why we conceded a goal,” he said.
“After that, we had a lot of chances to score, but technically we were not very good. This is why we had to chase the score and try to come back.”
The coach, though, praised the players for how they bounced back after falling behind.
“But at the end, the state of mind was good. The state of mind was good; they gave everything for the jersey and the country.”
Guinea-Bissau next
Next up, Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L qualifying match on Tuesday.
Chelle said the Super Eagles must quickly shift focus from the Madagascar win to prepare for a different opponent.
“I’m happy because they found the solution. It was not easy. So now we have to forget this game and analyze what we did, and after that, we have a second game in Guinea-Bissau.
“This is not the same team. They have their strengths, their weaknesses. So I have to think about what we will do in Guinea-Bissau. I cannot tell you whether we will play with that system or not. We have to go first with our state of mind, and after that, we will play that game.”
Nigeria’s win gives Chelle’s team a strong start to the qualifying campaign, but the coach knows he needs another tactical plan for Guinea-Bissau, who he believes will present a different challenge.
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