Chelle’s Super Eagles overcame an early scare to snatch all 3 points on offer against a disciplined Madagascar in this week’s 2027 Afcon qualifier curtain raiser.

Coach Chelle, reflecting on the match afterwards, said:

“[Despite the initial setback of conceding a needless early goal], in the end, we were able to come back and win the game. That was very important.”

The pictures I watched of the match were grainy to say the least however, I was still able to identify certain themes which are shared below:

1.      Defensive Frailties: Chelle’s Super Eagles concede goals; that is a given because he plays an attacking brand of football with fullbacks constantly overlapping. What was unforgettable, unforgivable, irreconcilable was how cheap and childish the goal conceded against Madagascar was. An in-swinger met by a timely run left our hugely experienced defensive apparatus clutching at straws – very poor.

2.      Park the Bus: Immediately an opponent packs the bus, Nigeria struggles to break them down even leading to the Super Eagles becoming uncoordinated in their play and routines.

3.      Attacking Routines: Chelle’s attacking routines are still top notch. This team concedes goals; this team score goals with movements that excite and flourish in equal measures.

4.      Long (High) Balls: It was delicious, delightful, alluring to see dangerous high long balls launched from defence to attack which led to several goals scoring possibilities.

5.      Long Driven Passes on Grass: Can any player replace Alex Iwobi in this team when it comes to delivering defence splitting passes that travel incredible distance along the grass?

6.      Goal Scoring Defensive and Centre Midfielders: Frank Onyeka and Rafael Onyedika are credible goal scorers under Chelle. This is not a defect; it is by design - deft, delicate, delightful. But we saw the defective side of that design yesterday when a defensive midfielder that is never known for scoring goals takes up that mantle: woeful headers, mistimed shots, misplaced efforts - enough said, I won't mention no names.

7.      Centre Back Driving Forward: Under previous coaches, Leon Balogun used to be the centre back who would take the ball by the scruff of its neck and drive it forward. Under Chelle, that roving role has now landed on the lap of Calvin Bassey and, boy, does he perform it ever so well, and then some.

8.      Discernible Pattern: Whether playing 4-1-2-1-2, 4-4-2, or 4-2-4 formation, Chelle's tactical construction are always visible to the naked eye. What is not always so visible is when he switches tactical horses mid-stream. But, keen eyed observers would still often notice the rearrangements, however subtle.

9.      Rococo Passing Routines: I love the way the Super Eagles spread passes on grass like someone spreading Blueband butter on bread. The passing reticulations are beautiful and when they yield goals, as they often do, it’s bull’s-eye!

10.  Fresh Faces, Fresh Feet, Fresh Flourish: Rarely do fresh faces founded by Chelle flounder or fail to fascinate fantastically; Ilenokhena, Usor – cases in point.