Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said the game against Uganda afforded him the chance to try other things with his team.
After securing their spot in the round of 16, the Super Eagles faced Uganda in their final Group C fixture.
Chelle made eight changes in his starting line-up from the game against Tunisia, with only Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi and Victor Osimhen, who captained the side keeping their place.
The likes of Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru started.
After 90 minutes the Super Eagles won 3-1 thanks to a brace from Onyedika and a solitary strike from Onuachu.
Speaking in his post-match presser, Chelle said:”Today it was a game to change and try to do another thing and in happy with the three goals but again we have to improve if we want to be ambitious.
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“I’m happy with the performance of a lot of players in this team, the whole group.
“So now they’re giving me a really bad headache because I have to make choices; I have a lot of choices to make.
“That’s it, they proved to everyone that this is not a team of eleven players, that it is a group. So, that’s fine.
“The training sessions are going to be with a lot of intensity, and now it’s up to me to make the right choices.”
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Naija moving on.
Chelle’s game project is being interpreted very well by the players. The fringe players showed the coach today that WE DEY HERE OOO. BABA SELECT OOO.
The team switches from 4-3-3 to 4-3-1-2, with Lookman playing in the hole behind the 2 strikers and in front of the 3 midfielders, forming a midfield diamond.
A lot of praise has gone to Rafa Onyedika for his performance, and deservedly so. But abeg let us reserve some accolades for Bashiru. That guy ball today. Those driving runs from midfield. Na so.
Man Paulo aka Tallest got a great confidence boosting goal, but it was his all round performance that impressed me even more. He was dropping back into the midfield, helping out defensively when we are defending set pieces, giving us that quality hold up play. A player that was notorious in the past for his lack of mobility was very mobile today.
Osimhen, the captain of the day. He led the team from the front. For me, there is no need for Osimhen to pressure himself looking for goals. If the goals come, fine. If not, just keep doing what you’ve been doing.
I really hope Ryan recovers on time for the next game. His overlapping runs and quality crosses. Very nice to see.
Chuks the assist master. Pass after pass after delicious pass. If only that right foot was not for standing only, he would be one of the best in the world in his position. Simon also did well, his dribbling actually worked better today
The Bassey and Igoh were solid at center back, and Awaziem did well when he came on.
A good encouraging team performance. Everyone that played today showed that they are good selection options for the coach.
However, a word of caution. Dem take 75th minute swear for us? Why is it that when the 75th minute is approaching, we concede goals? The group stage games are over, now the real business begins. A goal conceded can eliminate a good team. Our opponents are watching, and they all know that Nigeria will likely lay an egg in the closing stages of matches, so their plan will be to play low block for 70 mins, then come out, nick a goal, and close shop. We must keep our heads and maintain defensive discipline in the closing stages of games. Game management is key in the knock out rounds.
We march on. We go see for front.