Former Nigerian international Mutiu Adepoju has advised the Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to utilise the wing play against Rwanda in Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Kigali.
Nigeria currently sits in fifth place in Group C, having secured just three points from their opening four matches.
Read Also: 2026 WCQ: Rwanda Can’t Stop Eagles From Winning In Kigali –Ekpo
With qualification hanging in the balance, the 1994 AFCON winner told Africa Foot, that it would not be ideal for Chelle to introduce another style of play to the team.
“A system like that will be a little bit strange to the players and the fans as well.
“What we are used to is playing from the wings, having the ball all the time, and having players that can take it from the wings. It might take time to understand, but it depends on the players.”
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One-time headmaster of the Super Eagles Mutiu Adepoju has schooled the new coach on the virtues of wing play and why the national team shouldn’t deviate from this myopic approach.
I fail to see what Mutiu Adepoju is advocating here
An emphasis on wing play got us to the precarious position we currently find ourselves in this world cup qualification series.
Recall, Coach Jose Peseiro played 4-2-4 with crosses flying into the box 18 like stray bullets yet the team only managed 2 draws.
And then the unpopular Finidi George used 4-3-3 but the wing play failed to generate enough lift, leading to 1 draw and 1 loss.
I think a combination of methods will do. An emphasis on wing play will make the Super Eagles most predictable, monotonous and easy to defend against.
With the best midfield department we have had in a while, I will be looking to Aribo, Iwobi and Papa Daniel to cut a wide swath and boss the middle of the park.
Occasional route one football is also available from the likes of Ekong and Nwabali.
Over reliance on wing play is an algorithm for poor outcomes.
Nor be you go tell the coach what to do o