When Formation Goes Wrong: How a star-studded lineup became Super Eagles CHAN 2024 nightmare

Nigerian football fans were left stunned Tuesday night as the Super Eagles B side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal in their CHAN 2024 Group D opener at Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar.

Despite the hype on social media, fueled by a viral “Shallipopi dance” video before kickoff, the mood quickly soured as Nigeria’s tactical experiment appeared to backfire in a high-stakes West African clash.

The match saw a core of Remo Stars players, seven in total, take to the pitch for Nigeria. At club level, Remo deploys a tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation, boasting wing-backs and a cohesive, flexible defensive line, a system familiar to these players for years.

Yet, under national team coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles B lined up in an unfamiliar 4-4-2. The shift left the players looking out of sync and exposed.

Nigerian legend Abu Azeez, voicing disappointment on X, didn’t mince words: "Just think about this, Remo Stars plays 3-5-2 at least 95% of their games in the last 3 seasons, now 7 of their players are starting for the national team in a different formation and set up, with some players in a different position.”

His frustration echoed that of many fans, who took to social media, questioning the decision to abandon the strategy that made Remo Stars stand out domestically.

The contest itself was intense, with early midfield dominance from Junior Nduka and Michael Tochukwu, who picked up yellow cards, inspiring hope.

Sikiru Alimi forced a sharp save from Senegal’s keeper Marc Diouf, but Nigeria’s attacks repeatedly fizzled out in the final third. Senegal, disciplined and patient, absorbed the pressure, waiting for their chance.

That opportunity came in the 75th minute: Moctar Koïté’s deft pass cut through Nigeria’s diamond, finding Christian Gomis unmarked for the game’s only goal, a clinical left-footed strike.

Substitutions, including Anas and Godwin Obaje, couldn’t shift the narrative, with late efforts from Alimi and Jabbar Malik denied by Senegal’s well-drilled backline led by Seyni Ndiaye.

Senegal’s tactical discipline and game-management in the closing stages saw out the win, a performance their coach Souleymane Diallo described as “gritty.”

After the final whistle, focus turned to the coaching decisions. Many called on Coach Chelle to revert to Remo’s tried-and-tested 3-5-2, arguing that sticking to familiar systems could unlock the team’s true potential.

Others insisted it was a matter of fighting spirit, something Senegal’s coach openly boasted about after securing the three points.

The big question: Is the fix as simple as going back to what works, or does the team need to dig deeper?

With Group D wide open and national pride at stake, Nigeria’s next move will be closely watched.

Can the Super Eagles B recover, or has this tactical gamble already put their CHAN 2024 hopes in jeopardy? The debate rages, and for Nigerian fans, all eyes are on the next chapter.