Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle dey consider changing im midfield formation when Nigeria face Tanzania for di 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header on November 13 and 17. Di Franco-Malian coach don prefer narrow diamond wey allow am use four central midfielders, but di 3-0 defeat wey Nigeria suffer against Guinea-Bissau show di weak points of dat system, especially against teams wey defend deep and exploit space on di wings.
Di coach dey look at three-man midfield or flatter formation wey go give Nigeria more width, protect di defence and improve di attacking play. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka dey among di experienced options available to am. Performances of other Nigerian midfielders for Europe don give di coach more players to consider. Seven players dey in contention, but Onyeka lack of regular playing time fit cost am place as di coach settle on im final six.
Tochukwu Nnadi don recover from knee injury and return to Marseille starting line-up for important stage of di season. Di midfielder make immediate impact, play full 90 minutes and provide one assist in Marseille 5-2 away win over Angers SCO. He don start against Le Havre and Toulouse since then, giving am good run of matches since im return. Nnadi passing ability and work rate fit make am useful option for di coach if e change midfield formation. Di 22-year-old dey comfortable receiving ball under pressure, keeping possession and winning di ball back when im team lose di ball. Those qualities fit help Nigeria move di ball quickly from defence to attack, particularly against opponents wey sit deep. Di assessment be say Nnadi make di final six. Nnadi performances for Marseille and im ability to keep possession make am strong candidate for di Tanzania fixtures.
Wilfred Ndidi remain one of di most important players in di Super Eagles midfield and should retain im place despite possibility of tactical change. Di Beşiktaş midfielder don feature regularly in domestic and European competitions. He also score against Crystal Palace in di UEFA Europa League on October 22. Ndidi bring leadership and experience to di national team. Im tackling, positional discipline and ability to recover possession make am important player, particularly in difficult away matches. But di coach must decide whether to continue using am alongside another defensive midfielder or give am sole responsibility for protecting di back four. Di partnership between Ndidi and Onyeka sometimes leave Nigeria short of creativity. Playing Ndidi as holding midfielder fit allow Iwobi and other attack-minded players to push forward. Di assessment be say Ndidi make di final six. Ndidi na di Super Eagles captain, making im experience, leadership and defensive qualities invaluable for di coach and di team.
