Nigeria open their AFCON 2025 campaign tomorrow against Tanzania atthe Complexe Sportif. Ahead of the game, head coach Eric Chelle and newly appointed captain Wilfred Ndidi addressed the media.

Recent reports have suggested Chelle’s future may be tied to Nigeria’s performance at the tournament, a narrative the coach appeared weary of addressing.

“Since I started this job, every time my life with this team is dependent on one game. I am only focused on the game and my players, and on the AFCON tournament. We stay focused because this is the most important game right now.”

Analysis: The context is unavoidable. Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has left a mark on both the squad and the coaching staff. Responsibility lies with the team as a whole players and coaches alike and that disappointment inevitably hangs over this AFCON campaign.

As a result, this tournament feels like an opportunity for redemption. Missing out on the World Cup is a significant blow, but winning the AFCON for the first time since 2013 particularly with a squad many remain unconvinced by would shift the narrative entirely. Success here would go a long way towards easing the frustration of World Cup qualification failure.

Among supporters, confidence is fragile, especially defensively. That concern has been heightened by the absence of Benjamin Fredrick, who has impressed consistently but is sidelined through injury.

When asked by Michael Imianvan of 54FootballX whether he was worried about his current defensive options, Chelle responded:

“I am not worried. Of course, I prefer that all of these guys are here. We would work a lot on that. The main focus is to win the game, and we are ready to play this game. I can’t tell you which player would start, and today in the training session we would work on that.”

Analysis: It was a measured answer, and understandably so. Chelle was never going to frame his response in a way that undermined the importance or quality of the players available to him. In that sense, the message was correct.

However, the delivery felt less convincing. Saying that the final training session on the eve of the opening game will determine key defensive selections does little to project certainty. A more assured response might have emphasised that decisions are already clear, even if names could not be disclosed.

When defensive roles, arguably the most sensitive area of the team right now still appear unresolved the night before kickoff, it inevitably raises questions. Whether those concerns translate onto the pitch is something Nigeria will have to answer against Tanzania.

The most recent games for Nigeria were against DR Congo and Egypt. The match against DR Congo came in the World Cup qualification play off, while Egypt were faced last week in a friendly. The concern of being outrun in midfield should be worrying heading into the tournament.

I, Timothy Dehinbo, asked head coach Eric Chelle what the solution was to being outrun in midfield. Chelle responded by saying it was my feeling and not his. He added that I did not know what happened in Egypt, explaining that the team arrived late, possibly just one day before the game.

When asked if that was a problem, Chelle admitted it was, saying that if some players are not available, it becomes difficult to play, and that it is a very big problem.

I then pointed out that against DR Congo all the players were available, yet the team was still outrun in midfield. Chelle replied that this was my feeling and not his, that it was his vision, and that his responsibility is to take full responsibility for whatever happens. He said his focus is to win and that he believes the team has players who can perform well in midfield.

Chelle referenced the DR Congo match, stating that the team lost on penalties. He also said that DR Congo deserved to win and that they played well.

Analysis

Chelle addressed several points, but his responses moved away from the core question. It is valid for him to believe that the team is being outrun in midfield is just my feeling, and in the real sense, Chelle is the coach responsible for addressing it. The contradiction lies in his reference to the DR Congo game.

Chelle acknowledged that DR Congo played well and deserved to win. It was evident that the Super Eagles midfield struggled significantly in that match. His admission that DR Congo deserved the victory suggests an awareness of the issue. However, pointing to the late arrival in Egypt and player unavailability as contributing factors only adds further contradiction.

When Chelle spoke about Fredrick, he emphasised his desire to have every player available, with none missing. If that is the case, it raises questions about his explanation that the midfield issues against Egypt were due to player unavailability. If players are available, there should be trust in them to perform the required roles.

Chelle appeared to suggest that there is no specific solution required. If an issue that is clearly visible to many, and a major reason for inconsistent results, is something without a solution, then that is a concern.

Nigeria has crucial game tomorrow, and the team, must try to ensure that they start off with a win, Chelle has spoken, the players have trained, and good results are awaited