Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sébastien Desabre analyzed Nigeria’s approach in Sunday’s African final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs, highlighting the Super Eagles’ tactical shape.
Nigeria fell short, missing consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1986-1990, after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.
Frank Onyeka had given the Super Eagles an early lead, only for Meschack Elia to equalize in the 32nd minute.
‘Lookman and Chukwueze often dropped back’
Desabre noted that while Nigeria nominally deployed a 4-4-2, the system functioned more like a diamond.
Wide forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman frequently drifted infield to support central midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, creating numerical superiority in the middle but leaving flanks exposed.
“The two teams gave us problems. Cameroon with a typical system and Nigeria with a sort of diamond shape, where Lookman and Chukwueze often dropped back inside,” Desabre explained.
“They changed their system a bit during the match. We stayed in the same system, changing the pressing.”
Desabre praises team
The French coach praised his squad’s performance despite the tactical challenges, emphasizing their ability to compete against Africa’s elite.
“What needs to be noted is that my team is at the same level as Nigeria and Cameroon. That is what we will remember after the playoffs.”
In the 57th minute, Nigeria replaced Lookman and Chukwueze with Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon, but the substitutes struggled to create openings as the Super Eagles laboured in the closing stages.
Eventually, Eric Chelle’s men faulted during the penalty shootout, forcing a consecutive absence in the world’s grandest football tournament, after missing out in that of 2022.