Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has pinpointed the specific tactical challenge that could obstruct Nigeria’s path to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. The legendary ex-Juventus midfielder shared his expert analysis during a recent appearance on the Global Football Insights program, speaking shortly before Nigeria concluded its group-stage fixtures with a victory over Uganda.
Oliseh emphasized that while the team possesses world-class offensive talent, their ultimate success depends on the technical crew’s ability to solidify the backline during high-stakes knockout encounters.
The 1994 AFCON winner highlighted a critical imbalance between the team’s prolific scoring record and their recent defensive lapses. Nigeria finished the group stage as one of the tournament’s most productive attacking units, yet Oliseh maintains that a lack of cohesion in the defensive third remains the Super Eagles’ primary vulnerability. He argues that championship teams must demonstrate the resilience to protect leads effectively once their attackers find the net.
“What could stop Nigeria from winning the AFCON is if we don’t get our defensive house in order, to make sure that when we score, we don’t concede. One chance we have is that we have one of the most potent striking forces in the tournament,” Oliseh said.
Nigeria currently seeks its fourth continental trophy, having last tasted glory twelve years ago during the 2013 tournament in South Africa. Under the leadership of the late Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles secured a memorable 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the final, with Sunday Mba netting the winning goal. As Éric Chelle’s men prepare for the Round of 16, Oliseh’s warnings serve as a strategic reminder that defensive organization often determines the winner of major international tournaments more than attacking flair alone.
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