AFCON 2025: 5 things Eric Chelle's Super Eagles must do to beat Tunisia after Tanzania

Nigeria's 2-1 escape against Tanzania bought them three points and exposed every vulnerability Tunisia will exploit if Eric Chelle doesn't make drastic changes. 

The Carthage Eagles who destroyed Uganda in their opener won't offer second chances, won't give comebacks, and won't collapse under pressure like Tanzania did.

This isn't about tweaking, it's about transforming. Here are five absolutely critical adjustments Nigeria must execute, or their Group C campaign could implode spectacularly.

Tunisia buried Uganda in the 10th minute and never looked back, controlling tempo and dictating terms for 80 minutes. Nigeria's pattern of sleepwalking through opening stages is suicidal against opponents who punish slow starts.

• What must happen

The Super Eagles need to come out aggressive, pressing high and forcing Tunisia into defensive mode immediately. 

Waiting to ‘settle into the match’ is exactly how Nigeria will find themselves chasing the game against a side built to protect leads. Match Tunisia's early intensity or surrender control completely.

Nigeria created scoring chances against Tanzania and Ademola Lookman delivered when it mattered most, but the wastefulness nearly cost them. Tunisia's disciplined defence won't allow the volume of opportunities Tanzania did.

• What must happen

Every half-chance must be treated like a match point. Victor Osimhen and Lookman can't afford tentative finishing or poor decision-making in the final third. 

Against Tunisia's organised backline, Nigeria might get two clear chances all match. Converting the first one could decide everything.

Tunisia's goals against Uganda came from intelligent movement, coordinated attacks, and clinical finishing inside the box. 

Nigeria's backline looked confused against Tanzania's disjointed attack, imagine what Achouri will do to disorganised defenders.

• What must happen 

The defensive unit must operate as one organism. No ball-watching, no hesitant tracking, no communication breakdowns. 

Tunisia thrive on finding space between sleeping defenders. If Nigeria's backline doesn't stay compact, connected, and alert for 90 minutes, Achouri and Skhiri will carve them apart systematically.

Tunisia controlled midfield against Uganda, dictating tempo and suffocating opposition rhythm after taking the lead. Nigeria cannot allow that pattern to repeat or they'll spend the match chasing shadows.

• What must happen

Physical presence and intelligent positioning must dominate Nigeria's midfield approach. Whether through aggressive pressing or smart passing combinations, the Super Eagles must disrupt Tunisia's comfort zone. 

Losing midfield control means losing territorial advantage, possession phases, and ultimately scoring opportunities. This battle will determine who imposes their game plan.

Tunisia's organised defence handles conventional attacks comfortably, but rapid movement and direct play can crack structured systems. 

Lookman's speed and Osimhen's physical presence offer exactly the weapons needed to unsettle Tunisia's disciplined shape.

• What must happen 

Nigeria must stretch Tunisia's backline vertically with runs in behind, force their defenders into uncomfortable footraces, and create shooting angles through quick combination play. 

Tunisia want possession battles and positional chess, give them chaos instead. Make them defend in transition, make them turn and chase, make them uncomfortable.

Tunisia punish exactly the mistakes Nigeria showed against Tanzania. Slow starts, defensive miscommunication, wasteful finishing, and midfield passivity will be fatal errors against opponents this organized and confident.

Eric Chelle has the blueprint. Now he needs the execution or Nigeria's tournament could be over before it truly begins.