'We take away a player at the back' - Finidi hints at new formation for WCQs v Bafana Bafana, Cheetahs 

Super Eagles coach Finidi George has more or less confirmed that he will set up his team in a new formation for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa's Bafana Bafana and Benin's Cheetahs. 

Finidi is relatively inexperienced as a top level coach although he was assistant to erstwhile Super Eagles boss Jose Peseiro for twenty months. 

Peseiro was forced to make a tactical shift during the Africa Cup of Nations due to the late withdrawal of Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface who suffered an injury at the training camp in the United Arab Emirates. 

The Portuguese set up his team in a 3-4-3 formation during the tournament in Ivory Coast and the forwards were tasked in helping the team to defend when out of possession. 

The top three players with the most fouls committed over the course of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations were from Nigeria including two forwards, with Ademola Lookman leading the way with 21 fouls in seven matches followed by Victor Osimhen with twenty. 

Super Eagles fans are uncertain whether Finidi will adopt an offensive or defensive strategy for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Speaking to Arise News during his media tour, Finidi explained: "With the caliber of players that we have, we can not play that defensive.

"In football you must get that balance, when you attack, when you defend, if the players are aware of what you're doing and you attack properly and you know when to defend."

Nigeria had one of the best defensive records at the last AFCON, posting four consecutive clean sheets before conceding a late goal in the semifinal win on penalties against South Africa. 

In terms of the style of play, Finidi has suggested that the Super Eagles could return to their traditional 4-3-3 formation. 

"We struggled going forward as well, so we just have to get that balance right. Maybe the formation has to change whereby we take away a player at the back and put him in the midfield.

"We played 3-4-3 in the last AFCON and maybe it's time we get back to 4-3-3 where we make use of our wingers and properly."
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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