‘Flair of Spain, character of Italy’ – Chelle’s new-look Super Eagles win admirers after unbeaten AFCON run

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are beginning to look like a team with a clear footballing identity again after an impressive attacking run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with former international Henry Makinwa hailing head coach Eric Chelle for reshaping the side’s style and purpose, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria sealed top spot in Group C on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win over Uganda at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, completing a perfect group stage campaign that also included victories over Tanzania (2-1) and Tunisia (3-2).

The Super Eagles finished the group phase with eight goals, more than any other team at the tournament, scored by six different players, another AFCON high.

It is a sharp contrast from Nigeria’s recent tournament approach. At the 2023 AFCON, the Super Eagles reached the final largely through defensive discipline, scoring more than once in only one of their seven matches. Under Chelle, however, Nigeria have gradually shifted towards a more expansive, attack-minded game, a transition now bearing fruit in Morocco.

Makinwa, a former Rayo Vallecano forward, believes the Super Eagles are finally playing as a cohesive unit again, blending attacking ambition with collective purpose.

Speaking with Footy Africa after the Uganda win, he said:

“There’s no cause for alarm yet. What the team needs to reinforce is character: play with the flair of a Spanish side and win with the character of an Italian team.

“The overall performance was impressive. It was the first time in recent years that felt purposeful. The team played as a unit and showed a clear identity, with excellent transitions from attack to defence.”

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Super Eagles: Attacking progress, defensive questions

While Nigeria’s attacking numbers have caught the eye, concerns remain at the back.

The Super Eagles are yet to keep a clean sheet in Morocco and have now conceded in six of their last seven matches, lapses that could prove costly as the knockout rounds approach.

Makinwa believes defensive organisation must improve quickly, particularly in the absence of long-time captain William Troost-Ekong, who retired on the eve of the tournament. He has singled out Hull City defender Semi Ajayi as the man who must take responsibility.

“I expect Ajayi to take charge of the defensive line,” Makinwa noted.

“On set pieces delivered across the goal line, the team should adopt man-marking, with one or two free players assigned to attack the cross. That didn’t happen. Coaches can’t see everything from the touchline, so I would delegate a commanding player in those situations. He should organise the defensive line—same height, same energy, and the right attitude. Ajayi should be the ‘defence minister'”.

Chelle, for his part, is aware that attacking flair alone will not win the Africa Cup of Nations. Defensive concentration and leadership will be tested when Nigeria face either Cameroon or Mozambique in the last 16 on Monday, January 5.