Ex-Nigerian international Brown Ideye has praised Eric Chelle‘s strategic adjustment following the Super Eagles‘ victory over Lesotho.
During Friday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Chelle implemented a tactical change by adopting a two-striker system, which played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 2-1 triumph against Lesotho.
The Malian coach deployed Victor Osimhen alongside Tolu Arokodare as a striking duo within a 4-4-2 setup.
In the second half, Osimhen was partnered with Akor Adams, and the pair combined effectively to net the game-winning goal.
Ideye Applauds Chelle’s Tactical Approach
Brown Ideye expressed satisfaction with Chelle’s formation, urging the team to sharpen their finishing to become more clinical in front of goal.
Speaking on the SuperSport show Naija Made, Ideye commended the team’s attacking mindset but emphasized the need to increase their goal count.
“It was encouraging to see the squad score twice after recent difficulties in front of goal,” Ideye remarked.
He further advised the players to maintain their offensive pressure immediately after scoring, highlighting that goal difference could be a crucial factor in World Cup qualification.
As a long-standing proponent of tactical evolution for Nigeria, Ideye welcomed the shift to a 4-4-2 formation.
He noted that in earlier fixtures, Victor Osimhen was frequently isolated in attack.
“Osimhen was often left to shoulder the offensive duties alone,” Ideye explained. “He needs a strike partner who can link play and share the attacking responsibilities.”
Within Group C, Nigeria remains the sole team to have scored in every qualifier so far. Despite this consistency, their tally of 11 goals across nine matches ranks third in the group, behind Benin and South Africa, who have each netted 12.