'Only Ndidi, Onyedika or Onyeka there' - Eguavoen explains why he opted for 4-2-3-1 formation against Libya

Augustine Eguavoen has explained why he opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation in the Super Eagles' 1-0 victory over Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game on Friday evening at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

The Super Eagles had used a 3-4-3 formation at AFCON earlier this year and got to the final of the competition before Finidi George changed the team's shape.

Upon his appointment as the interim coach, Eguavoen reverted to 3-4-3, which he used in the first two opening games against Libya and Benin, respectively, but changed his team's shape for yesterday's clash.

Semi Ajayi was the biggest casualty of the alteration as the West Brom defender dropped to the bench for the first time since Nigeria were beaten by Guinea in a pe-Africa Cup of Nations friendly in January 2024.

Speaking during the post-match conference, Eguavoen revealed why he opted for a 4-2-1 formation as against the 3-4-3 formation he used in the previous matches.

"Last two games, when we played a back three and then four across the midfield, we always lost numbers in the middle of the field because one midfielder goes high up, and you have only Ndidi, Onyedika or Onyeka there," Eguavoen told reporters in Uyo

"So there was a lot of space behind us so, with the back four we had more numbers in the midfield so we could possess the ball, that was the game plan".

The tactical change paid off as the Mediterranean Knights were limited to just two attempts on goal, none of which was on target, with the Super Eagles bossing possession throughout the game.

It would be interesting to see if Eguavoen will stick to the formation for the return fixture next Tuesday.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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