The Super Eagles will participate in the 2025 Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in West London, presenting head coach Eric Chelle with a timely chance to experiment ahead of crucial FIFA World Cup Qualification fixtures later in the year.
With friendlies against Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago on the horizon, the Malian acknowledged the opportunity to experiment, both tactically and in terms of personnel, saying per the NFF, “It will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October.”
With that in mind, here are a few obvious areas of need, as well as options which, though untested, could provide solutions.
Super Eagles problem areas
Left-back
The left side of Nigeria’s defence has been in flux for far too long. Zaidu Sanusi’s persistent injury troubles since AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast have limited his reliability. Calvin Bassey, once an option on the flank, has permanently shifted to a central role at Fulham, further shrinking the pool.
That’s left Bruno Onyemaechi as the lone specialist. But even he appears to lack Chelle’s full trust, evidenced by the deployment of Ola Aina, naturally a right-back. on the left during the last international window.
Aina remains Nigeria’s most consistent fullback and needs to stay in his natural role.
Solution: Felix Agu (Werder Bremen)
The solution may lie in the German Bundesliga. Agu. who recently expressed openness to a Super Eagles switch, offers an intriguing alternative. Although he represented Germany’s Under-21s in 2019, he remains eligible for Nigeria, pending a change of allegiance.
The 25-year-old has stood out in the Bundesliga with his dribbling, agility, and balanced defensive profile.
Agu may not solve everything overnight, but he offers a more natural fit than stop-gap solutions.
Central midfield (Right)
Chelle’s experiment with Samuel Chukwueze in central midfield during the qualifiers left many scratching their heads.
Out of position and out of rhythm, the AC Milan man looked uncomfortable in tight spaces, lacked positional discipline, and his instincts often led him to drift wide, defeating the purpose of his deployment.
If the Super Eagles are to achieve cohesion in midfield, deploying players in their most effective roles is non-negotiable.
Solution: Christantus Uche (Getafe)
A more suitable option in right central midfield is Uche. The young midfielder has impressed in his debut top-flight season with 3 goals, 5 assists, and 25 key passes. He’s also demonstrated defensive commitment with 33 tackles, 10 interceptions, and aerial dominance.
The 21-year-old's ability to transition from deep midfield to attack makes him a dynamic link between Wilfred Ndidi at the base and Alex Iwobi on the left. He’s not just a statistical standout, he plays with the kind of tactical flexibility and assertiveness Chelle needs.
Centre-back
With William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi entering the twilight of their international careers, Nigeria’s defense is undergoing a transition. Bassey has been a constant presence in both three and four-man defensive systems since 2022, often partnering with Ekong.
However, while recent performances have showed that Bassey is emerging as a leader, lapses from the more experienced Ekong underscore the need for fresh competition.
Solution: Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea), Gabriel Osho (Auxerre)
A newcomers like Igoh Ogbu is a promising option. Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo, eligible for Nigeria through his parentage, could add a commanding presence to the backline if Chelle can convince him to switch allegiances.
Another solid candidate is Gabriel Osho of Auxerre, whose reliability and versatility could make him an important asset to Nigeria’s defense.
Attacking midfield
Nigeria has struggled with creativity for a while now.
Chelle tested Ademola Lookman in the No. 10 role in the March international window. However, the reigning CAF Player of the Year struggled, appearing out of sync and unable to provide the necessary connection between midfield and attack.
This highlights the need for the Malian manager to experiment with other creative options ahead of key World Cup qualifiers.
Solution: Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
Dele-Bashiru brings dynamism, vision, and the ability to operate between the lines, providing an attacking spark that Nigeria desperately needs.
Though he missed the March internationals due to injury, his return could help solve Nigeria's creative woes. While not an out-and-out creator himself, he excels at movement, and is a strong finisher
