Judging from what we observed during the Super Eagles training session and how the coach Eric Chelle expects them to attack, the team will likely line up in a 4-3-3 formation when they take on Rwanda tomorrow in the world cup qualifiers in Kigali.
Chelle who is big on possession based football is keen on ensuring that he plays to the strength of the players with an all attack approach, and playing each player in the manner which they are used at their respective clubs.
Part of the idea of the new man is to have the team play a possession based football with high pressing from two midfielders higher up the pitch , while a lone defensive midfielder sits and dictate play from deep. That role is said to be for Onyedika.
Chelle watched him interpret the role to perfection playing in the UEFA Champions League for Club Brugge, and he has decided to hand him the same responsibility against Rwanda.
It looks like the duo of Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi will be the left sided and right sided midfielders respectively, playing very close to the wingers in Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman. They are expected to create an overload with top striker Osimhen in the box when the team attacks.
In defence, a back four of Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey will sit just in front of Stanley Nwabali who is expected to keep his spot as first choice goalkeeper.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman