AFCON 2025: 'The coach needs to understand his players' - Former Super Eagles star on Chelle's tactics

Former Nigerian international Mohammed Gambo has warned that the Super Eagles’ fortunes at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco will largely depend on the tactical decisions of head coach Eric Chelle, particularly how players are deployed on the pitch.

The three-time AFCON champions will open their Group C campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday, December 23, before facing Tunisia and Uganda in what promises to be a tightly contested group.

Speaking in an interview with Footy Africa, the former Kano Pillars striker and member of Nigeria’s 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squad expressed concern over Chelle’s approach during the Egypt friendly.

He said, “I watched the friendly match and it seems Chelle was experimenting with a few players, many of whom were out of position.

“The coach needs to understand his players and their preferred roles to get the best out of them.”

The former international singled out Akinkunmi Akinsanmiro, the young midfielder based in Italy, as an example of a player whose role during the Egypt match did not suit his strengths.

“I noticed the young player from Italy, Akinsanmiro, was playing in an advanced role behind the strikers.

“I believe he is more effective in front of the defence. I remember him from his time at Beyond Limits when I was with the Pillars youth team, and he is naturally more defensive,” Gambo explained.

Gambo also touched on Paul Onuachu, pointing out that the striker’s impressive club form has often failed to translate to the national team due to system-related issues.

“There are others, like Paul Onuachu, who is doing very well in Turkey but has struggled to reproduce that form for Nigeria.

“The coach must understand his players and play to their strengths. Tactics will change depending on the opponent, but the formation must suit the players available,” he noted.