hich thorough-bred coach will continue to attack fully against a dangerous opponent with a cliff-hanger lead, going into the dying minutes of an encounter? More especially, after the dangerous opponent had hit the woodwork, some minutes prior to the ultimate catastrophy?

Why was Victor Boniface brought in in the dying minutes of the encounter to replace the injured Victor Osimhen, instead of a central defender to help fortify a flagging defensive network; that had shown cracks periodically during the encounter?

It is simply commonsensical match-management strategy! No decent coach would have let go of the three points at that juncture of the game.

A coach Jose Mourinho on the bench for Nigeria would have collected all three points at stake, regardless of the efforts of the Zimbabweans! Likewise Coach Rohr, the former Super Eagles' gaffer.

Back home, Nigeria's Coach Augustin Eguavoen would have collected all three points at stake, under similar circumstances. In the match against Libya in the AFCON qualifier, Nigeria got her only goal in the 83rd minute; and, he, subsequently, brought in Semi Ajayi, a defender, in the stead of an attacker, to help defend the lead. This purpose was achieved and Nigeria won the match!

Coach Chelle's tactical choices in the dying minutes of the match-up against the Zimbabweans, simply showed his tactical naivety! It is clear from that experience that at 47 years of age, he may not be thorough-bred enough or experienced enough to be Nigeria's coach!

The pertinent question at this juncture is: Is he the right man for the job?

Yours sincerely saw that equaliser of the Zimbabweans coming. From where I was watching the match at home, I continued shouting that he needed to fortify the defence with a central defender to protect the narrow lead! That was not to be . The Super Eagles lost two crucial points at home, to rubbish the efforts of the hard-working Super Eagles players who were at the cusp of victory! But were denied by the bad match- management of Coach Eric Chelle!

Any more hopes for 2026 World cup qualification?

Nigeria's chances hang on a very thin thread! Maybe coming second and hoping to be one of the best second- placed teams and the concomittant opportunity for a play -off appears to be the only realistic option. Nigeria's chances of winning the group and direct qualification for the World cup is further reduced not only by the drawn game against Zimbabwe, but the Super Eagles' weak defensive ability, notwithstanding the possession of a world class attack!

Coach Eric Chelle should get the message vividly after this experience : With a good attack, a team can win a match. But with a good defence, a team can win a tournament!!!!!

This is the realisation that apparently made Coach Jose Peseiro go defensive in the 2023 AFCON tournament and got to the final match as a result! Soccer is a result-oriented endeavour. Goals win matches!!!!! No team gets (extra) points for playing beautiful soccer!

However, tactically smart coaches, try to bring about a hybrid of offensive and defensive soccer in their team's pattern of play ; and unleash either of the two, according to the match circumstances or dynamics.

In the match against Zimbabwe, Coach Eric Chelle having attacked and gotten the lead, with sixteen minutes left to play, should have revisited his strategy, with his objective for going into the match at the back of his mind! If had done that well, Nigerians would have been rejoicing as a consequence of the three points gotten against Zimbabwe.

Conclusion:

Anyhow, we continue wishing the Super Eagles well and hoping they pull the chestnut out of the fire. They have done it before !

UP SUPER EAGLES ! UP NIGERIA !!!!!!!!!