AFCON: Nigeria coach Chelle talks tactics ahead of Tunisia clash

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle stated that he is open to tactical changes ahead of Tuesday’s Group C duel against Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

 

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​Both sides will hope to secure back-to-back wins in Fez. The Super Eagles edged out Tanzania 2-1 while the Eagles of Carthage defeated Uganda 3-1 in their respective opening matches.

​Speaking during Friday’s pre-match press conference, Chelle confirmed he has several options for the encounter.

“In my mind I have two options the first is maybe to let them have the ball or when we get the ball back we go direct or we continue with our philosophy. As we know they are a good team, maybe we will change something.”

He added that his team increased their training intensity following their initial victory to ensure they are in peak form for their opponents.

“We had our training sessions after the first game and in the sessions we tried to add more intensity. We have a game against a great team so let’s go for this game.”

“I have to prepare my players well as it’s not going to be easy. Tunisia is a great team like I said, they have a lot of good players with experience, lots of young players so they play well as a team.”

Chelle is widely noted for his tactical flexibility. The Super Eagles started with this system in their win over the Taifa Stars of Tanzania before switching to a more familiar 4-3-3 in the second half.

​They now face more formidable opposition in the form of the 2004 champions—the same team that knocked Nigeria out in the Round of 16 at the 2021 edition in Cameroon.