Chrisantus Uche has given his thoughts on the Super Eagles 1-0 win against Rwanda in Saturday’s Group C, 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
A 51st minute goal by substitute Tolu Arokodare secured the win for the Super Eagles, who now move up to third place on 10 points.
However, the Eagles still have grounds to cover as they are six points behind group leaders Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Up next for the Super Eagles is a must-win clash with the South Africans in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Commenting on the outcome of the match, Uche, who was an unused substitute in the game with Rwanda, described it as a vital win for the team, and hailed goal hero Arokodare.
“Crucial win for the team & the nation
We soar more higher ,” the Crystal Palace new signing wrote on his X handle.
“Congrats my bro @toluarokodare.”
Meanwhile, there is the possibility that star striker Victor Osimhen would miss Tuesday’s tie, after coming off with an injury in the first half against Rwanda.
12 Comments
I wish Osimhen quick recovery.
Nigeria has good replacement.
The boys should use both wings . I noticed that Super Eagles were using only the left wing throughout the match against Rwanda.
THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM FOR OSIMHEN INJURY. QUICK RECOVERY TO HIM.
WE HAVE A BETTER, QUALITY & WELL COMPOSE STRIKER IN CYRIEL DESSERS AND ALSO A GREAT HUSTLER & BALL-FIGHTER IN AROKODARE.
** THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT ERIC CHELLE SHOULD USE TWO STRIKERS UPFRONT & TWO WINGERS AT FLANKS.
ERIC CHELLE SHOULD NOT USING LOOKMAN IN OUT OF POSITION AGAIN.
THE BEST POSITION WHERE LOOKMAN CAN BE OPERATING EFFECTIVELY IS 11-POSITION (Left winger).
My best line up against S/African
1. NWABALI
2. AINA.
3. FELIX AGU —-AWAZIEM
4. ONYEDIKA —–ONYEKA
5. EKONG
6. BASSSEY
7. CHUKWUEZE —–D.BASIRU
8. AROKODARE
9. DESSERS
10. UCHE-CHRISANTUS –—IWOBI
11. LOOKMAN —–M SIMON
So u will bench the best defender against Rwanda federick? Good thing u not close to the coaching bench.
Awaziem?? u be oloshi
Decent line up. But I would make a few changes:
1) NWABALI
2) AINA OR OSAYI
3) BASSEY OR AGU
4) NDIDI OR ONYEDIKA OR ONYEKA
5) EKONG OR BASSEY OR AWAZIEM
6) FREDERICKS
7) DELE OR LOOKMAN OR SIMON
8) IWOBI OR CHRISANTUS
9) TOLU OR KOLAWOLE DESSERS
10) CHRISANTUS OR CHUKWUEZE
11) LOOKMAN OR SIMON
I’m leaving the team aside replacing onyedika with uche and simon with desser.
Play an all-attacking 4-3-3 and go for it.
Nwabali
Aina-Frederick- Bassey-Agu
Uche-Ndidi-Dele-Bashiru
Iwobi-Dessers-Lookman
If I may, allow me to defend my selection.
In my opinion, Nwabali is our numero uno goalie. He needs to calm down though. His head is too hot, and he may rashly do something very costly in future matches if he doesn’t tone it down.
Bassey and Fredericks is our best center back combo for now. Fredericks especially is something else. Watch out, I see a big money transfer in that boy’s immediate future, if he keeps his head down and keeps working hard. What a player he is!
Aina is our best right back.
Bassey in my opinion is the best man for left back, no disrespect to Bruno or Agu. But if the decision is made to start Bruno or Agu, then Bassey goes back to pairing Fredericks.
If however, Chelle chooses to star Bassey at LB, then Fredericks and Ekong or any other decent center back will do just fine.
Ndidi is the shield for the defense, and he keeps the ball flowing freely. Slows the game down when we need it, and distributes the passes as needed. He is also the hatchet man, with his tackles. Very underrated in my opinion. Alongside our architect and assist master Iwobinho, our midfield is in good hands. If Ndidi is not available, Onyedika or Onyeka can fill this role very competently. But Ndidi is the first choice for me, for now.
On the wings I’ll have Dele on the right and Lookman on the left. Two hungry, fast, skillful players with an eye for goal, and penetrating power. Their job is to get us goals, and whip in those crosses for our strikers in the box.
And talking about strikers in the box, I like the combo of Osimhen and Tolu. With this combo, our opponents will hardly be able to push forward. Osimhen will be doing his characteristic pressing, while Tolu will be doing hold up play, and both of them are a tremendous, I REPEAT, TREMENDOUS, threat in the air. Just give them good crosses. That’s all. However, I hope they don’t get in each other’s way, loool!
Is Tolu Nigeria’s Drogba? Well for me, he’s still a long way from that. But he’s well on his way! With good coaching and hard work, the sky is the limit for this beast of a striker.
On the bench, we have Kolawole Dessers, ready to come in when needed. And another exciting option for the attack is Chrisantus.
If we choose to play a lone striker, then their is room for an additional midfielder. If we want an AM, then Chukwueze and Chrisantus are quite capable in this role. Otherwise, if we opt for a DM, then one of Onyedika or Onyeka will suffice.
We can do very well indeed if we stick to merit driven selection.
It may look like I’m being too generous with my high praise of Fredericks and Tolu. They are both young players, but please spare me the argument of “THEY ARE TOO YOUNG”. I no wan hear dat one.
Young they may be, but they are ready. WAN TI READY PA.
Some of the best players on the planet are the moment are teenage boys. And they are playing for the biggest clubs in the world.
A lion cub will never grow up to be an antelope. It will take some time, but one day, you will look at the cub, and you will see a lion. These young boys are ready. THEIR TIME IS NOW.
I love the way Ekong and Osimhen were coaching the players on the sidelines, giving them the needed ginger. Fredricks benching Ekong is like an academy player benching Van Dyke at Liverpool. Yet, Ekong was humble, and was even helping Fredericks with tips here and there.
Nice one. Kudos to you all.
I said it in 2023 during the FIFA u20 world cup that Fredrick will partner bassey at the WC. So I am not surprised with his performance.
I am going to make another bold statement here now.
The day Akinsaminro play for Nigeria, the problem with our midfield is solved.
In my opinion these are our best players) based on the unity Cup, Russian friendly and club form): Uche, Chukwueze, Onyedika, Lookman, Fisayo, Agu, Aina, Frederick and Tolu. Anyhow the coach wants to mix them it’s up to him.
I said during the u20 in 2023 that Frederick Benjamin will partner Bassey at the WC 2026.
Now I am making another bold statement that the day Akinsaminro begins to play for SE will mark the end of our midfield problem.
These boys are generational talents that will need to infused into the team asap.