Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Confirms Nigeria Felt Wilfred Ndidi's Absence in AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Defeat
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has openly admitted that the Nigerian national football team significantly missed the presence of their captain, Wilfred Ndidi, during the crucial semi-final clash against Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The match, which took place on January 14, 2026, in Rabat, saw the Atlas Lions triumph over Nigeria via a penalty shootout following a tense goalless draw that extended to 120 minutes.
Ndidi's Suspension and Injury Impact Nigeria's Tactical Setup
Wilfred Ndidi was unavailable for the semi-final encounter due to a suspension after accumulating his second yellow card of the tournament during Nigeria's 2-0 victory over Algeria. His first booking had occurred in the match against Mozambique. Compounding this setback, the Besiktas midfielder was also nursing an injury that had forced his substitution against Algeria, further complicating his availability.
In Ndidi's absence, Raphael Onyedika was deployed to fill the defensive midfield role. However, Chelle noted that Onyedika faced considerable challenges against the Moroccan side, which ultimately affected the team's overall performance and result.
Chelle's Tactical Analysis of Ndidi's Role and Onyedika's Performance
Speaking to RMC After Foot, Eric Chelle elaborated on how Ndidi's absence altered Nigeria's tactical approach. "We didn't have Wilfred Ndidi, who is the captain. We press where I have five players who are the first line of defence on the press. We have Ndidi who secures everything," Chelle explained, highlighting the captain's crucial role in the team's defensive structure.
Chelle refused to place blame on Raphael Onyedika for his performance, instead offering a nuanced comparison between the two players. "There are two different profiles," he added. "He [Onyedika] is very intelligent in his tactical reading, but Wilfred is a profile where he goes to the players and recovers the ball from the feet of the opponents. So they are two different profiles."
The manager concluded by praising Onyedika as a great player who, despite offering different qualities than Ndidi, remains a valuable asset. Chelle also mentioned expectations that Onyedika would leave Club Brugge in the January transfer window, with interest from clubs like Galatasaray and Premier League teams, though the move did not materialize at that time.
Nigeria's AFCON 2025 Campaign and Bronze Medal Achievement
Despite the semi-final disappointment, Nigeria managed to secure a record-extending ninth AFCON bronze medal by defeating Egypt on penalties in the third-place playoff. Key moments from the Morocco match included missed penalties by Bruno Onyemaechi and Samuel Chukwueze for Nigeria, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved a spot kick from Moroccan star Hamza Igamane.
In related news, Wilfred Ndidi previously expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support during his first major tournament as captain, which concluded with the bronze medal achievement. The Super Eagles' campaign in AFCON 2025 underscored both the team's resilience and the impactful absence of key players like Ndidi in critical matches.
