Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has provided a detailed explanation for his crucial substitutions during Nigeria's tense 3-2 victory over Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The win secured Nigeria's qualification for the tournament's Round of 16.
Chelle's Tactical Switch
With the match finely poised, Chelle made a double change in the 78th minute, introducing wingers Chidera Ejuke of Sevilla and Moses Simon. They replaced midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Akor Adams. The move came as Nigeria, leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, saw their advantage shrink after conceding twice.
Chelle stated that the alteration was a direct response to the Tunisian team's tactical adjustment. "The Tunisians arrived to find the sides after the 75th minute, and that was why I introduced two wingers," the coach explained in a post-match briefing. He noted that the opposition had begun to decipher Nigeria's patterns and were exploiting the flanks.
Addressing Set-Piece Concerns
The Malian tactician pointed out that both Tunisian goals, scored by Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi, originated from set-piece situations—a free-kick and a penalty. "In my opinion, we have to improve in the area of defending set pieces," Chelle admitted, while defending his overall strategy.
He emphasized that his in-game decisions are always fluid and based on the match's flow. "My choice of substitution also depends on what happened on the pitch. The Tunisian team arrived to find more of their side (wings) fixed, and they were aware of our system," he added. Chelle praised his team's high-pressure performance but acknowledged the need for continuous improvement.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Next Match
The substitutions sparked debate among Nigerian supporters on social media platform X. Some fans questioned the decision to bring on Ejuke, with analyst Colin Udoh suggesting the player needs to improve his defensive work and ball retention. Others felt the change left the right-back exposed.
Despite the criticism, the three-time AFCON champions held on for a vital win at the Complexe Sportif de Fez in Morocco. Their attention now turns to the final Group C fixture against Uganda's Cranes on Tuesday, December 30. Having already progressed, the Super Eagles will aim to top the group.
In related news, goalscorer Ademola Lookman has sent a message of appreciation to Nigerian fans, urging continued support as the team advances to the knockout stages of the competition.
