Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has acknowledged that Raphael Onyedika struggled during Nigeria’s semifinal defeat to Morocco on penalties at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Onyedika started in place of captain Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the match due to suspension following yellow card accumulation in the quarterfinal victory over Algeria.

The Club Brugge midfielder found it difficult to assert control in the midfield, misplacing passes and failing to help Nigeria regain possession.

Morocco capitalized on this, dominating play and ultimately securing victory through a penalty shootout.

Reflecting on the performance, Chelle noted that Ndidi’s absence had a significant tactical impact on the team.

"We don't have Wilfred Ndidi who is captain. We press where I have five players who are the first line of defence on the press. We have Ndidi who secures everything." Eric Chelle said on RMC Sport's After Foot.

Chelle highlighted that not every midfielder fits the same role, with each player bringing a distinct style suited to specific systems and strategies.

"There are two different profiles. You are going to be Raphael Onyedika or you're going to be a profile who plays more in a system where you are going to have wingers, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, and you're going to be more a mid-block and you're going to cut out passes."

Despite the underwhelming performance, Chelle described Onyedika as tactically intelligent and praised Ndidi’s ability to recover the ball directly from opponents.

"He is very intelligent in his tactical reading but Wilfred is a profile where he goes to the players and recovers the ball from the feet of the opponents. So they are two different profiles.

He admitted that Onyedika was less effective than Ndidi in the semifinal, but stressed that he is still a great player, recalling his good performances against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.

"In this match, it's true that he was less good than Ndidi, but he's still a great player. He was good against Marseille, wasn't he? And I even thought he was going to be transferred."

Despite missing out on the title, the Super Eagles ended the tournament on a high, claiming the bronze medal after a 4–2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt following a goalless draw in regular time.

Adeyemi Adewale