Super Eagles: Solving Eric Chelle’s ‘headache’ as Nigeria step into AFCON 2025 crunch

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has admitted to a “pleasant headache” after Nigeria completed a perfect group stage at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) with a 3-1 win over Uganda on Tuesday.

The Malian tactician rotated his squad heavily, making seven changes from the side that defeated Tunisia, yet still secured all three points at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. Chelle acknowledged the strength in depth within his squad, saying, “For now I have a little pain in my head on who to choose because everyone in this team can play.”

The Super Eagles now top Group C with nine points and will face a Round of 16 opponent yet to be confirmed, giving Chelle time to weigh his options as Nigeria looks to make a deep run in Morocco. Here are three players who most stridently put their hands up for consideration off the back of their performances against Uganda.

Who stands a chance of entering Super Eagles XI?

Raphael Onyedika

An obvious pick, considering his unexpected brace against the Cranes. Goal scoring, however, was not his primary brief on the day; it is in excelling at conducting the play in midfield that Onyedika demonstrated his worth against Uganda.

The Club Brugge man, at times, single-handedly ran the game in Fez, making himself available in possession, turning away from pressure, demonstrating an uncanny positional awareness and directing the flow of traffic.

While it is understandable that Chelle prefers a more physical aspect in midfield, and that, as Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi is nigh-on unmovable at the base, this turn should certainly see Onyedika more involved later on in matches as the competition progresses.

Samuel Chukwueze

It is a bit of a shame that Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu is now a doubt for the rest of the tournament, as this would have been his spot.

Chukwueze did little wrong in the defeat against Tanzania. However, for the more daunting task of facing Tunisia, he was dropped in favour of Frank Onyeka, a more defensively astute and robust option. Reinstated for the game against Uganda, the Fulham man seemed determined to prove he would not be giving up his Super Eagles spot without a fight.

It was by no means a flawless performance from Chukwueze, but a brace of assists is not to be sniffed at by any stretch. More impressive than the fact of the assists was the considered nature of them, the winger picking his head up for the second to deliver not just any pass, but the correct one.

Chukwueze makes it look easy. The @RexonaNG Move of the Day! 😮‍💨🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/YxdSE7IxDQ

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 30, 2025

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Even playing a position that did not entirely flatter him, Dele-Bashiru found occasion to demonstrate his strengths against Uganda, particularly in his movement for the game’s opener.

The Lazio man can be difficult to categorise at times: neither midfielder nor forward but something in between, run-of-the-mill in the middle of the park but a bomb in the final third. On the whole, he was impressive, and could realistically fit multiple roles in Chelle’s preferred shape.

Whether that is on the right of the midfield diamond, where the Malian has deployed both Chukwueze and Onyeka, or at the tip of it, where Ademola Lookman typically plays, Dele-Bashiru is an option worth exploring for the Super Eagles.