By Sola Fanawopo
This was an Eric Chelle masterclass. An elite, coached efficiency outlined by spacing, clear roles, and technical automatisms. For the primary time, the Tremendous Eagles look much less like a set of stars and extra like a high-functioning machine, paying homage to the Spanish nationwide group at their peak.
For many years, Nigeria has been accused of counting on uncooked expertise: pace with out management, energy and not using a plan. In opposition to Algeria, that stereotype collapsed underneath the load of one thing unfamiliar but reassuring: order. They waited, they held their construction, and the targets adopted. We’re witnessing a brand new period. I’m having fun with it , what about you?
From Romance to Logic
African soccer thrives on romance, the upset, the underdog, the last-minute miracle. However Nigeria’s 2–0 dismantling of Algeria was a chilly reminder that main tournaments aren’t received by “vibes.” This wasn’t a victory of luck or emotional surge; it was a masterclass in construction and fashionable event logic.
This wasn’t Nigerian soccer attempting to entertain Africa; it was Nigerian soccer attempting to overcome it.
The Evolution of the Star
The clearest image of this tactical shift was Victor Osimhen. His purpose and aerial dominance have been anticipated, however his restraint was the revelation. He occupied defenders and dragged traces off form, ultimately selecting selflessness over private glory.
His help to Akor Adams wasn’t simply intuition, it was an training in team-first soccer. Victor is lastly training what he calls for. Take your flowers, Vic.
Behind him, Alex Iwobi orchestrated the sport, lastly liberated from chaos. His passes didn’t search applause; they sought tactical benefit. The numbers again the attention check: Iwobi has accomplished 36 line-breaking passes within the AFCON 2025 knockout phases (22 vs. Mozambique, 14 vs. Algeria). That’s imaginative and prescient in movement. Concurrently, Bruno Onyemaechi exploited the left flank with surgical precision. Each targets originated there, not accidentally, however by design.
Erasing the Opposition
Probably the most damning indictment of Algeria wasn’t the loss, however their whole neutralization. Riyad Mahrez didn’t vanish as a result of he forgot find out how to play; he vanished as a result of Nigeria erased his provide traces. Mature groups don’t simply battle stars; they starve them.
Even when Wilfred Ndidi departed with an harm, the system held agency. No panic, no lack of form. When a group survives disruption with out drama, it proves the concepts are greater than the people.
The Street to Morocco: West vs. North
Nigeria now strikes towards a conflict with the hosts. Whereas the continent focuses on the “noise”, the environment, the future, the historical past, the Tremendous Eagles are working on a sharper frequency. The win over Algeria wasn’t a spotlight reel; it was a blueprint. They aren’t simply chasing the title; they’re architecting it.
On a private word, Egypt “minimize my card.” As we are saying on the streets of Lagos, my jackpot vanished as a result of Mo Salah and his gang had different concepts. I predicted a semifinal quartet of Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, however the Pharaohs gatecrashed the celebration.
We’re left with a basic regional showdown: West Africa vs. North Africa. The stage is about.
Let the present proceed.
Sola Fanawopo, Chairman Osun Soccer Affiliation
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