Creating danger from the wing was Augustine Eguavoen's major tactical approach in the four games at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but it was easy for the Tunisians to nullify the game plan with two players double-teaming on Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon and it played a huge role in their win.
Most of Nigeria's offensive attempts were countered especially in the first half and the tactical response from the coaching staff did not work out.
Eguavoen has argued that he attempted to address those failings which led to their downfall by instructing Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi to exploit the gaps in the Tunisia defence when the wingers are not active.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Eguavoen stated : "Moses Simon, Chukwueze, the strength of Nigerian football has always been on the side but the only thing we were not doing right was for us to move the ball quicker when is 1v1.
"When we move the ball there are now two which we tried to change style a little bit so that we're not predictable.
"When we move the ball there are now two which we tried to change style a little bit so that we're not predictable.
"Don't always look for the wingers that's why we instructed the two front players that when Chukwueze or Simon drops behind Awoniyi or Iheanacho or whoever comes must exploit that gap.
"It wasn't really happening so playing through the sides was a bit tough because they know how we operate on the sides and then through the middle as well.
"You can see when Tunisia are defending they defend with ten - the entire team is behind - so it was a little bit difficult".
"It wasn't really happening so playing through the sides was a bit tough because they know how we operate on the sides and then through the middle as well.
"You can see when Tunisia are defending they defend with ten - the entire team is behind - so it was a little bit difficult".
The Confederation of African Football named Eguavoen the best coach of the group stage of AFCON 2021.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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