'Iwobi makeshift role, Ndidi more defensive' - South African blames Super Eagles midfield for WCQ woes

South African football pundit Mbizo Mzamane has pinpointed the Super Eagles midfield as a key weakness in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nigeria's new manager Eric Chelle set up his team in a 4-4-2 formation in the recent World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda's Wasps and Zimbabwe's Warriors.

The 4-4-2 formation meant that only Wilfred Ndidi played in his natural position, while Alex Iwobi was assigned defensive duties, and Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon were deployed as wide midfielders.

Mzamane noted that the Super Eagles are lacking a natural playmaker in midfield, similar to Austin Okocha or John Obi Mikel.

The analyst believes that while Wilfred Ndidi brings quality, his defensive-minded approach leaves the Super Eagles without a true playmaker.

"They do struggle in the midfield. Alex Iwobi is playing in a makeshift role, he's not a natural central midfielder," Mbizo Mzamane said on CBS Sports Golazo.

"A creative influence in the middle of the park has really been missing

"Obviously Ndidi is quality but he's a more defensive player. That Jay-Jay Okocha-esque player or even an Obi Mikel has been missing for quite some time in Nigeria."

Mzamane stressed that the absence of a dynamic, attacking-minded midfielder could be a significant factor in Nigeria's struggles.

"That player, that key component might be what's missing personally," he concluded.

With four matches remaining in Group C of the qualifiers, the three-time African champions have managed just one win from a possible six and are sitting fourth in the standings with seven points ahead of their trip to table toppers South Africa in September 2025.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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