Tijani Babangida Reveals How Eric Chelle’s Tactical Freedom Boosted Ademola Lookman at AFCON 2025

Former Nigerian international Tijani Babangida has shed light on the tactical approach adopted by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, revealing how the coach’s system allowed forward Ademola Lookman to flourish on the pitch.

Speaking on Sunday Oliseh’s Global Football Insights programme, Babangida explained that Chelle introduced a flexible tactical structure that granted Lookman the freedom to roam across attacking positions rather than restricting him to a fixed role.

According to Babangida, the coach removed the traditional number 11 positional limitation, allowing Lookman to move freely across the attacking line. This, he said, created more attacking opportunities and encouraged stronger involvement from midfield players.

“You can only put the number 7, but number 11 is free. Lookman can run there, a striker can run there, and you have more chances for good attacks, with more midfielders involved as well,” Babangida said.

The former Ajax winger added that the tactical structure closely resembled the traditional attacking style historically associated with the Super Eagles.

“That was a very good system, the system we used to play. You could see Nigerians were very surprised and wondered why the Super Eagles were playing so well. It’s because of that system, and it worked well with the boys,” he added.

Babangida expressed hope that the team would maintain the same atmosphere and tactical discipline going forward.

Opinion: Freedom and Identity Could Be the Super Eagles’ Key Strength

Babangida’s comments highlight an important truth about Nigerian football: the Super Eagles often perform best when players are allowed to express themselves creatively.

Historically, Nigeria’s most exciting teams relied on fluid attacking football, quick transitions, and technically gifted players who could interchange positions. Giving a player like Lookman the freedom to move across the front line naturally increases unpredictability and makes it harder for opponents to defend.

However, tactical freedom must still come with structure and discipline. The real challenge for Chelle will be balancing creativity with organization so the team remains defensively solid while attacking with flair.

If managed correctly, this system could help the Super Eagles rediscover a style that not only produces results but also reminds fans why Nigerian football has always been known for its entertaining and dynamic play. ⚽