Former Super Eagles midfielder and coach, Duke Udi has delivered a candid appraisal of Nigeria’s recent World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo, describing the match as “a game of two halves” and identifying key tactical failings that led to the loss.
Udi, who earned five caps for Nigeria and served as an assistant to Stephen Keshi during the Super Eagles’ 2013 AFCON-winning campaign, shared his thoughts during an interview with former international Ifeanyi Udezi.
“A Game of Two Halves” – Duke Udi
According to Udi, Nigeria began the match strongly and executed their first-half plan effectively. However, the encounter shifted dramatically after Victor Osimhen was substituted.
Udi explained that Osimhen’s exit opened spaces the Congolese quickly exploited.
“First half, the Super Eagles tried. They played,” he said.
“As soon as he left, DR Congo utilized and capitalized on the spaces. The two centre-backs started pushing forward.”
“When Osimhen was there, they weren’t able to do that. They saw the gap and utilized it.”
“Midfield Had Nothing” – Duke Udi
The former midfielder reserved his strongest criticism for the team’s midfield performance, stating his disappointment in how easily Nigeria lost control of the game.
“In our midfield, there is nothing, let me tell you the truth. There was no player. Iwobi was out,” he lamented.
“Lookman didn’t spark well in the playoffs, and I was surprised Eric Chelle started him in that match.”
“He didn’t play well in the first game, so why are you starting a player that didn’t play well?”
With Iwobi eventually substituted and Wilfred Ndidi left as the sole central figure, Udi argued that Nigeria lost their creative fulcrum.
“Ndidi is a ball marker, not a creative player. Everyone knows that. So the only thing left was marking because the chance creator was gone.”
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“Fatigue Played a Major Role” – Duke Udi
Despite his sharp critique of individual performances, Udi insisted he would not put full blame on head coach Eric Chelle or the players.
He noted that the team had been worn down by gruelling minutes in the previous fixture.
“I won’t blame the coach or players. They went into extra time in the last game, that drained them. Football isn’t easy.”
“The coach tried to give some players a chance, but they didn’t show anything.”
Udi also backed Chelle’s decision to settle for penalties, acknowledging the physical and tactical limitations Nigeria faced late in the match.
Unfortunately for the Super Eagles, the shootout did not end in their favour.
“Ultimately, the coach made the right call by going for penalties, the guys just didn’t step up” Duke Udi concluded.
