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  • 2026 WCQ: Eric Chelle defends decision to play Lookman, Chukwueze, Aina out of position

2026 WCQ: Eric Chelle defends decision to play Lookman, Chukwueze, Aina out of position

Published on March 26, 2025 at 05:22 PM

2026 WCQ: Eric Chelle defends decision to play Lookman, Chukwueze, Aina out of position

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has defended his decision to have Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze play out of their natural positions in Nigeria's 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium n Uyo on Tuesday evening.

Nigeria took the lead through Victor Osimhen in the 74th minute but allowed the Warrior to draw level in the stoppage time to earn a point.

The Malian coach opted for a 4-4-2 system and played three of his players outside their natural positions.

Ola Aina, who functions better as a right-back was slotted in at left back, with forward Ademola Lookman taking up a central role despite being a winger by trade and Samuel Chukwueze playing in a midfield position.

Chelle has now defended the decision as he spoke with reporters in his post-match press conference.

He said, “I said I want to play in diamond because I like to find the player [Lookman] between the lines, between the player in the number 10 position

“If you see the first half, we could have scored a goal, so this is a very good system.

“Chukwueze played inside but if you see in the first half, sometimes he was on the side.

“For Ola Aina and Bright, Ola sometimes played on the left side. I think he played a very good game, and Bright too.

“It was difficult at the end, in the last minute, so we had a draw.”

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