Against Gabon, Eric Chelle made two of those decisions, and the result was a 4–1 masterclass that has shifted the entire atmosphere around the Super Eagles since yesterday.
The three-time AFCON champions have long been accused of playing below their potential, but that late-night battle in Rabat felt different.
It felt like the Nigerian Eagles were shedding old habits and had discovered a new structure that could define Nigeria’s future.
As I stayed glued to my TV screen for 120 minutes, what came to my mind was, “Whoever advised Chelle to pair Benjamin Fredrick with Calvin Bassey and Akor Adams with Victor Osimhen, Igwe, you deserve the award.”
Igwe you deserve the award sir- egba sir https://t.co/c8Q5VLUcXw pic.twitter.com/TeHlyP6xhS
— Presidential (Mc) (@BigdaddyAfrika) July 6, 2025
Because those partnerships have transformed Nigeria's game since the first try against Benin. I mean, Nigeria has scored eight solid goals in two games. One they had not achieved in a very long time.
What Chelle unlocked with Fredrick–Bassey
Fredrick is not supposed to be playing with this kind of authority at 20. Not in a World Cup play-off. Not in a must-win match.
Not when the fans are anxious, the stakes are brutal, and the stadium is trembling under pressure. Yet, Chelle trusted him.
He paired him with Bassey—Nigeria’s most complete defender on paper—and the boy from Brentford didn’t flinch.
He imposed himself on the game. Strong in duels, composed on the ball, and confident in his positioning, Fredrick looked like a player who had been waiting his whole life for that moment.
Then came the highlight of the game, where he assisted Osimhen to open his goalscoring account in the game. Not a hopeful long ball, not a panicked clearance—an intentional, intelligent delivery that split Gabon apart.
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For a while, we grew used to seeing Ajayi–Bassey or Ekong–Bassey. Cemented senior partnerships. But Fredrick brought something new. He played like a man with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
If this is the beginning, Nigeria has unearthed a future star.
Adams–Osimhen: the partnership we didn’t know we needed
Since making his debut, Adams has been excellent—two goals in three games and has complemented Osimhen in ways few expected.
Photo by Nsidibe Akpan Copyright: xxIMAGO
Chelle paired that which I can call “a partner”. Someone who could occupy defenders, press aggressively, and create pockets of space in the game.
Against Gabon, this duo produced three out of four goals scored—Osimhen with two goals and Adams with one.
Adams brought relief—genuine relief—to an attacking line that for years depended entirely on Osimhen. With his presence, Osimhen could roam freely, drop deep, and attack channels without carrying the entire scoring burden.
It felt like the Super Eagles finally unlocked a modern two-striker system. Felt? The Super Eagles “have.” And, suddenly, the attack had dimension. Suddenly, Nigeria looked dangerous again.
Again, whoever whispered that tactical idea into Chelle’s ear deserves a raise.
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Ndidi: Experience is a gift
The moment Wilfred Ndidi was booked in the sixth minute, alarm bells rang everywhere. A defensive midfielder with one yellow card away from suspension—although banned from the final—in a game that stretched to 120 minutes was a recipe for disaster.
He carried that early booking like a man who fully understood his responsibility. No reckless tackles, no unnecessary lunges, and got himself an assist. For me, Ndidi is him.
Was VAR truly present?
Nigeria should have had a penalty. Full stop. The handball was clear, maybe not deliberate, but influential.
Meanwhile, Bright Osayi-Samuel’s shirt tug inside Nigeria’s box looked risky—until another Gabonese player was spotted in an offside position. Correct call. But that doesn’t excuse the missed penalty at the other end.
Even Ndidi’s yellow card raises questions. Was that really a foul from him?
Moments like these make you wonder what VAR was doing—watching the match or simply watching time pass.
Gabon’s biggest mistake
Gabon saw Nigeria into extra time, and that was where the game ended for them. The Super Eagles came alive with Ejuke giving Nigeria an advantage in the 97th minute before Osimhen scored twice more to seal the night
With those goals, Osimhen marched to six behind Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record. What a hunting history for the 26-year-old.
Nwabali: A goalkeeper judged by the standard he created
A very short history of Stanley Nwabali's rise in the Super Eagles squad. Nigeria, as usual, have thrown a lot of shade at Francis Uzoho, some even went as far as blaming the Super Eagles' losing the 2022 World Cup ticket on his errors.
Then, Jose Peseiro trusted him for the AFCON 2023, saved penalties, was solid in between the sticks, and played a part in the nation's progress to the final of that competition.
In fact, if Ronen Williams wasn't awarded the goalkeeper of the tournament, Nwabali would have been the ideal player to pick up the award.
Of late, due to some unnecessary errors, Nwabali hasn't been at his absolute best. This is because he has raised his own bar so high that anything short of excellence now looks like an off day.
He has become Nigeria’s benchmark. The Super Eagles fans now expect more from him because he taught them to.
Chelle’s substitutions: Was it precise and timely?
Chelle shaped the game. His substitutions were spot-on, especially bringing in Chidera Ejuke for Samuel Chukwueze. Ejuke’s goal confirmed it, and other players' impact in the game showed that Chelle read the game perfectly.
So, following this game, the pairing, Chelle, who is looking to create a new identity for the Super Eagles, may have just found its new identity.
