AFCON 2025: Has Eric Chelle given away Super Eagles game plan for Morocco?

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has revealed signs of fatigue in his squad and hinted at a tactical adjustment, indicating that Nigeria could allow Morocco more of the ball and adopt a more cautious approach in the early stages in Rabat.

Fresh from a controlled 2-0 win over Algeria that extended Nigeria’s perfect record at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), the West African nation arrive at the semi-final chasing a fourth continental crown. Goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams settled the quarter-final, but Chelle’s focus has already moved to managing energy, not momentum.

“I’ve noticed that my group is tired; it might be time for me to adjust my approach,” Chelle said. “We might perhaps leave the ball to Morocco and wait for them. We saw that they have difficulties when they play under pressure.

“We’ll hold on in the first half and try to play our game in the second half.”

Analysis of Eric Chelle’s press conference: Pragmatism or mind games?

Chelle’s comments can be read two ways. On one hand, they may be psychological warfare, designed to bait Morocco’s aggression and invite them forward from the start, to the end that the Super Eagles can take them by surprise by actually attacking from the off. 

On the other, they may betray an understanding of the tactical nuance present in this tie. Being the host nation and overwhelming favourite, there is a lot of pressure on the Atlas Lions and on Walid Regragui to not just win AFCON 2025, but also play on the front foot and entertain.

However, the former Wydad Casablanca boss made his name, and indeed the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, playing a much more defensive style, and has struggled to meet that expectation even while enjoying the bulk of the possession in all of their matches to this point. 

Me, to #Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui: After taking the team to the semi-final of a World Cup, the first time an African team achieves this, you should be bullet-proof for the rest of your career as national coach. But you have been under tremendous pressure to win this… pic.twitter.com/yZ6DkF9v6G

— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) January 13, 2026

Morocco have often laboured against compact opponents, struggling to unlock space and relying overly on crosses. This is why Brahim Diaz, with his ability to create ex nihilo, is so vital to their cause. Nigeria, by contrast, have looked most dangerous when transitions are sharp and spaces are open. With Osimhen’s movement, Ademola Lookman’s timing and runners arriving from midfield, a counter-attacking approach may suit the Super Eagles just fine.

Whether Chelle is lowering expectations or laying a trap will only be clear on Wednesday night.