Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Friday, despite forward Ademola Lookman’s limited influence on the game, coach Eric Chelle said.
The hosts trailed 1-0 before rallying in the second half, with debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor each scoring their first international goals to turn the tide. Lookman was withdrawn for Tolu Arokodare with 21 minutes remaining as the win was sealed.
Chelle began the encounter using a 4‑4‑2 formation but later shifted to a 4‑2‑3‑1 setup. Lookman was instructed to operate in the spaces between the lines and create scoring opportunities, while the team was asked to exploit the flanks to generate space against the opposition.
“We played between the lines and they have to feel when they have to go from the side and when they have to go inside,” Chelle explained at the post‑match press conference. “Once you are playing against a low block, you have to pass by the side, go to the left, go to the right, and after three or four times you can find a pass inside, like Alex did every time.”
The win keeps Nigeria on track in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 AFCON, while Chelle acknowledged the challenge of adapting tactics when a key player is not on the pitch, urging the squad to find solutions collectively.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
