Chelle Weighs Tactical Switch as Super Eagles Prepare for Tunisia Test

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is considering a possible formation change ahead of Nigeria’s crucial encounter against Tunisia, TalkTalk Nigeria reports.

Chelle, who is well known for his preference for the diamond 4-4-2 formation, deployed the system in Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday. While the Super Eagles controlled large spells of the game and created numerous chances, the tactical setup exposed weaknesses, particularly in midfield protection.

Nigeria later switched to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation in the second half, which brought more balance, but the defensive lapses remained a concern. The midfield struggled to shield the backline effectively, allowing Tanzania to enjoy dangerous moments despite being second-best overall.

Speaking after the match, Chelle openly admitted that he made some wrong decisions — a rare show of tactical honesty from a coach at this level. Now, with a sterner test against Tunisia looming, the Malian tactician appears ready to rethink his approach.

“In my mind I have two options. The first is maybe to let Tunisia have the ball or when we get the ball back we go direct or we continue with our philosophy,” Chelle told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Opinion: Chelle’s willingness to reassess his tactics could be the Super Eagles’ biggest strength going into the Tunisia clash. While the diamond system offers control and attacking fluidity, it demands high tactical discipline — something Nigeria’s midfield is still adjusting to. Against a well-drilled Tunisian side, flexibility may be key. Whether Chelle chooses pragmatism over philosophy or doubles down on his preferred style, this match could define not just the group standings but also the tactical identity of this Super Eagles team.