Being a Super Eagles coach is always an uphill task. Fun-loving Nigerians take football very seriously. Add the politics that come with the country’s football federation, and it’s even tougher.

When Eric Chelle was appointed in January 2025, not much was expected. The Malian inherited a team on the brink of World Cup elimination, took them to the playoffs, but ultimately fell short, losing to DR Congo on penalties.

But at AFCON 2025, Chelle has found a way to make it work. Saturday’s 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Algeria was a clinical display, arguably the Super Eagles’ best performance in his time in charge..

From the tournament’s start, Chelle deployed a 4-3-1-2 formation: Alex Iwobi orchestrating in midfield, Ademola Lookman operating behind strikers Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen. It’s been cash money.

Nigeria successfully defeated Tanzania, Tunisia and demolished Mozambique 4-0. Even when Chelle rested his first-choice players against Uganda, reverting to a 4-4-2, the result was a comfortable 3-1 win.

But Algeria was the real test. And Chelle’s game plan? Dominate from the first whistle.

And that was exactly how the game panned out

Nigeria’s backline was impenetrable. Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi formed a rock-solid partnership at center-back, reading danger, winning aerial duels, and organising the defensive line.

Osayi-Samuel on the right flank was equally brilliant, defensively sound, quick in recovery, and alert to Algeria’s threats.

Bruno Onyemaechi was getting into the right positions, whipping in balls, and that was how the first goal came, a brilliant delivery to Victor Osimhen

The statistics tell the story: Algeria didn’t register a single shot on target the entire match. Not one. That’s defensive dominance.

Nigeria’s three-man midfield of Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi pressed relentlessly, won second balls, and controlled the tempo. At the heart of it was Alex Iwobi, pulling the strings with intelligence and composure.

Iwobi dropped deep to collect, dictated play, and released the attackers with precision. His presence gave Nigeria control, allowing the team to transition smoothly from defence to attack. He had the pre-assist for both goals. A midfield clinic from the Fulham midfielder.

Algeria’s midfielders couldn’t breathe. They couldn’t build. Nigeria suffocated them.

As for the attack, they had no choice but to deliver. The first half wasn’t the best clinically, with Akor Adams missing a glaring opportunity and Osimhen not on the same wavelength with his teammates. Lookman tried to make things happen, creating chances and getting goal attempts, but was thwarted by Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Two minutes into the second half, the game changed with Bruno whipping in a brilliant cross, and Victor Osimhen, timing his jump perfectly, heading it home.

Redemption.

Osimhen had caught smoke for his behaviour during and after the game against Mozambique, but he once again proved why he is one of the best strikers in the world. He pressed defenders constantly, and when the chance came, he delivered.

But the real teamwork moment? Minutes after scoring, Osimhen had a chance for a second but instead laid the ball off selflessly for Akor Adams, who rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net.

Clean sheet. Strikers scoring. Midfield dominance. Defensive discipline. It looked easy because everyone understood their role and executed perfectly.

Algeria didn’t have a shot on target. Nigeria controlled the game from start to finish.

Eric Chelle has stumbled upon something special with his 4-3-1-2, and it’s doing wonders.

This game wasn’t about one player; it was about teamwork making the team work.

It’s hosts Morocco next, an even tougher opposition, but if Nigeria keep playing like this, they could go all the way at AFCON 2025.