Former Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has called for more structured game plans for Nigeria’s national team, saying talent alone is not enough to secure victories.

Speaking on the ATHLST podcast, which was posted on YouTube on Saturday, Emenike said while the team has “a lot of good players,” including stars like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, they lack tactical direction.

“We have a lot of top players in our team, but what we don’t have is a game plan. It’s not about just throwing big players on the pitch. You need to tell them what you want from them,” Emenike said.

He praised the team’s coach, whom he said he supported in the past, but stressed the importance of clarity in strategy.

Emenike pointed to Nigeria’s recent 2–1 Group C win over Tanzania as an example of tactical weaknesses.

“When you watch Tanzania play, they have a particular game plan. They take the Super Eagles to one side and switch the ball to the other to create one-on-one situations. They exploited Zaidu Sanusi’s wing many times.

“That’s what I’m trying to say — we need a game plan, and players need to understand they are playing for the Super Eagles, not their club sides.”

Nigeria began AFCON 2025 with the victory over Tanzania at the Fez Stadium in Fes, Morocco, putting them in a strong position in Group C ahead of a clash with Tunisia.

The Super Eagles entered the tournament with a backdrop of mixed form, having missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria faces a crucial Group C clash against Tunisia today, at the Fez Stadium.

Both sides come into the match on three points, with Nigeria having edged Tanzania 2–1 and Tunisia beating Uganda 3–1. A win tonight could all but guarantee progression to the last 16. (The PUNCH)

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