In the past couple of years, the Nigerian Super Eagles’ style of play has been up for debate by supporters and media outlets. The team’s tactics and best formation have consistently changed with the introduction of new managers over time.

The Super Eagles represent Nigeria at international senior football Competitions, be it CAF organised or FIFA organised games and invitation games.

Although the team has improved quite well recently, what still bothers the minds of many is the uninspiring style of play that has been in use by the National team handlers lately.

Nigeria Super Eagles’ style of play explained.

Over the years, the long balls system had been the most preferred style.

However, since the era of German tactician Gernot Rohr, the team has made significant improvements.

Ex-Coach of the side, Gernot Rohr, was able to enforce discipline in the team, even though the Super Eagles setup lacked the cutting edge and the final third decision-making abilities.

In the last couple of games, Coach Gernot Rohr employed the 4-2-3-1 formation, which worked well, especially in the friendly match against Brazil, which ended 1-1.

The problems faced by the Nigerian Super Eagles

– Poor goal-scoring abilities: The team cannot score many goals in the most important games.

– Understanding performance against smaller teams: Super Eagles always turn out poor whenever they take on smaller teams on the African continent.

Although there are no Minos in African Football anymore, the need to grind out impressive results is an essential aspect of the team. Some national team followers are always afraid whenever the team faces minor opposition.

I could remember Nigerians making calculations on how the country could qualify for significant tournaments during the qualifiers.

– Limited possession in the midfield: Controlling the midfield had always been a significant problem for the team years ago and is still noticed up till now.

Improvements on the side of Wilfred Ndidi had been the significant spotlight. The Leicester City man needs quality partners in the midfield that would help the team play effectively.

In the past, Ogenyi Onazi and John Obi Mikel used to create a more balanced middle for the team.

The perfect Super Eagles style of play and the best Super Eagles formation that would work effectively

3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1 would be the ideal best formation for the Nigerian Super Eagles in the long run. At least, this will create stability at the back, especially in the midfield spreading to the flanks and down to the Forwards.

See the super eagle’s complete squad for more details about the team.

How this had affected the team’s performance

During the 2017 AFCON Qualifiers against Egypt in a game played in Kaduna, the eagles were clamped down by a much faster Egyptian side with fast pace attackers while the Super Eagles relied on long balls.

However, the game meant Nigeria would not join the train to the competition in Gabon that year.