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The Stade de Fès played host to what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most pulsating encounters of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). For 70 minutes, the Super Eagles of Nigeria looked like a team destined for the podium, dismantling the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia with a blend of high-octane pressing and clinical finishing.
Leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and the electric Ademola Lookman, Nigeria appeared to have the game in the bag. However, the final half-hour told a different story—one of tactical regression, questionable substitutions, and a near-catastrophic collapse that saw Tunisia claw back to 3-2, leaving Nigerian fans biting their nails until the final whistle.
The Turning Point: The 60th-Minute Shift
The dominance of the Super Eagles in the first hour was built on a grueling high-intensity press. Under coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria operated in a 4-3-2-1 structure that squeezed the life out of the Tunisian midfield. Frank Onyeka acted as the "scissors," snuffed out transitions, while Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi provided the bridge to an attack led by the relentless Osimhen.
However, high-pressure football has a "burn rate." Around the 60-minute mark, the physical toll of sprinting to close down Tunisian defenders began to show. The gaps between Nigeria’s midfield and defense started to widen, and the compact shape that had frustrated Tunisia for an hour began to fray at the edges.
Eric Chelle’s Wrong Substitution Strategy
While fatigue was inevitable, the management of that fatigue was where Eric Chelle faltered. In tournament football, substitutions are meant to refresh the energy or solidify a lead. Instead, Chelle’s changes seemed to dismantle the very structure that gave Nigeria the lead.
1. The "Onyeka Hole"
The most controversial move was the withdrawal of Frank Onyeka. Onyeka had been the engine room, mopping up loose balls and protecting the back four. When he was replaced, the midfield lost its defensive bite. Chelle admitted post-match that he wanted to "hold them through the middle," but by removing his primary ball-winner, he effectively opened a corridor for the Tunisian playmakers.
2. Ineffective Wing Refreshers
The introduction of Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon was intended to exploit Tunisia’s high line as they pushed for a goal. However, these changes coincided with Nigeria stopping their play from the flanks. Ejuke, despite his flair, missed a sitter that would have ended the contest at 4-2, and Simon struggled to find the rhythm of a game that had turned into a physical battle.
3. Reactive Defensive Changes
Chelle waited until the 87th minute—after Tunisia had already made it 3-2—to bring on Chidozie Awaziem to help absorb pressure. By then, the momentum had completely shifted. Substituting the "Man of the Match" Ademola Lookman for a defender in added time was a clear sign of a coach "going a little bit crazy," as Chelle himself later described his mental state during those final minutes.
Tunisia’s Build-Up Tactics: How They Exploited the Collapse
As Nigeria’s intensity faded, Tunisia’s coach Samy Trabelsi pivoted his tactics. Realizing that Nigeria’s central press was no longer "hunting in packs," Tunisia began to use the full width of the pitch to stretch the Super Eagles' tired legs.
Verticality and Overloads: Tunisia stopped trying to pass through the middle and started using direct, vertical balls to the wings. With Nigeria’s wingers no longer tracking back effectively, Tunisia’s full-backs, particularly Ali Abdi, found acres of space to deliver crosses.
Set-Piece Exploitation: Tunisia recognized a weakness in Nigeria's aerial defense and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s uncharacteristic hesitance. They focused on winning corners and free-kicks. This bore fruit in the 74th minute when Montassar Talbi headed home from a Hannibal Mejbri delivery.
The VAR Trap: By pinning Nigeria deep in their own box, Tunisia forced errors. The constant pressure led to the 87th-minute handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel, a direct result of a defender being overworked and poorly supported by a retreating midfield.
Lessons for the Super Eagles Going Forward
While the 3-2 victory secured a spot in the Round of 16, the "unusual collapse" serves as a stern warning. If Nigeria is to win their fourth AFCON title, three things must change:
| Lesson | Tactical Adjustment |
| Game Management | Learning to "kill" the game through possession rather than just continuous pressing. |
| Defensive Leadership | In the absence of veterans like Troost-Ekong, the team needs a vocal leader to organize the line during "chaos periods." |
| Goalkeeping Consistency | Stanley Nwabali must rediscover the command of his area that made him a hero in previous outings; hesitation at this level is fatal. |
Conclusion
The win against Tunisia was exhilarating, but it was a "nightmare" for Eric Chelle for a reason. Nigeria possesses the most frightening attack in Africa, led by the indomitable Victor Osimhen and the clinical Ademola Lookman. However, a Ferrari with a faulty brake system is a danger to itself.
The Super Eagles must learn that a match is 90 minutes, not 60. As they head into the knockout stages, the ability to manage a lead will be just as important as the ability to build one.
What do you think was the biggest mistake in the game? Let us know in the comments below!
