Former Nigeria international, Benedict Akwuegbu, has issued a strong warning to the Super Eagles' technical crew ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He stressed that the team must avoid the dangerous trap of relying solely on star striker Victor Osimhen for goals if they hope to succeed in Morocco.
A Call for Tactical Flexibility from Coach Eric Chelle
Speaking in an interview with Footy Africa, Akwuegbu expressed his overall confidence in the team's potential but pinpointed a critical area for improvement. He called for head coach Eric Chelle to adopt a more flexible and varied tactical approach.
"I'm optimistic that the team will excel; we just need to keep hope alive," Akwuegbu stated. "We must continue to support the NFF and the entire team. We have the players and the quality needed to win the tournament."
However, his optimism was tempered by a clear analysis of a current weakness. He observed that the team's strategy has become too predictable and centered on one player.
The Perils of Overdependence on a Single Star
Akwuegbu highlighted the significant risk in building the team's attack almost entirely around Victor Osimhen. He noted that this reliance has made the Super Eagles vulnerable whenever the Napoli forward is marked out of a game or has an off day.
"My only advice to the coach is to adopt more varied tactics and a different style of play," he advised. "The team currently relies too heavily on Osimhen, and whenever he doesn't play or score, the team tends to struggle."
He further explained that opposing teams have studied Nigeria's pattern. "Many countries are now familiar with our approach and will focus on marking Osimhen and Lookman out of the game," Akwuegbu added, referring to winger Ademola Lookman.
Spreading the Goal-Scoring Responsibility
The former striker concluded with a crucial recommendation for long-term success. He emphasized the need to develop a system where the responsibility for scoring is shared across the entire squad.
"It's important for the coach to develop a system where goals can come from any player and where there are multiple match winners," Akwuegbu asserted. "This is an area the team currently lacks."
The three-time AFCON champions are set to begin their 2025 tournament campaign in Morocco. They have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Their opening match is against Tanzania, and a positive start will be vital for their ambitions to lift a fourth continental title.
