'Lookman and Chukwueze often dropped back' - DR Congo coach on Super Eagles diamond formation

Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sébastien Desabre rightly observed that Eric Chelle deployed his side in a 4-4-2 shape at the outset of Sunday's African final in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Nigeria fell short, missing back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 1986 and 1990, succumbing 4-3 on penalties after a tense contest that remained level through extra time.

Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles a flying start with a deflected effort inside three minutes, only for Meschack Elia to restore parity with a smart close-range finish in the 32nd minute.

Chelle's tactical approach was far from a conventional 4-4-2 as Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman repeatedly drifted infield to support central midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, creating numerical superiority in the middle of the park.  

However, the formation ceded space on the flanks, which the Leopards exploited, particularly targeting the spaces around Benjamin Fredrick.

The French tactician noted that the Leopards had to adapt to Nigeria's flexible midfield structure.

When asked to reflect on the matches against Cameroon and Nigeria, Desabre told reporters: "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.

"They changed their system a bid during the match. We stayed in the same system, changing the pressing.

Despite the tactical complexity of the playoffs, Desabre stressed that the major takeaway from the two matches was the progress of his own squad and their ability to stand toe-to-toe with Africa's powerhouses. 

"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."

Lookman and Chukwueze were withdrawn on 57 minutes for Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon, but the substitutes struggled to inject creativity as Nigeria laboured for openings in the latter stages.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: Fecofa

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