Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has hinted at a possible tactical adjustment ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against Morocco on Wednesday, citing fatigue within his squad.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Malian tactician admitted that the physically demanding style employed by his team throughout the tournament may require a rethink as the competition reaches its decisive stage.
Chelle has largely relied on a 4-4-2 diamond formation, pairing Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams in attack. The system has yielded impressive results, with the Super Eagles scoring 14 goals in five matches and emerging as the most creative side at the tournament.
Nigeria’s high-tempo, aggressive approach has overwhelmed several opponents, including Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria. However, the coach suggested that sustaining such intensity may no longer be realistic.
“I find that my group is tired; it might be time for me to change my approach,” Chelle said. “We’ll start that way, I think. We’ll hold on in the first half and try to play our game in the second half.”
Meanwhile, Chelle has also expressed disappointment over the suspension of Wilfred Ndidi ahead of the semi-final encounter. The Leicester City midfielder will miss the tie after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament during Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria. Ndidi had earlier been booked in the Round of 16 clash against Mozambique.
The Super Eagles coach acknowledged Ndidi’s importance to the team, describing the 29-year-old as a key figure in Nigeria’s midfield setup.
Nigeria will face a stern test against Morocco as they seek a place in the AFCON final, with Chelle’s tactical decisions likely to play a crucial role in the outcome.
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