Why Super Eagles Played So Well In MOROCCO

 

•Midfielder, FRANK ONYEKA

Nigeria may not have lifted the AFCON 2025 trophy in Morocco, but the Super Eagles left the tournament with something just as valuable: renewed belief. From dominant performances to growing tactical discipline, the team rekindled hope among fans who had long grown disillusioned.

At the heart of that resurgence was midfield enforcer Frank Onyeka, fondly known as “Frank the Tank.” In an exclusive and revealing conversation with Oma Akatugba of OMA Sports TV, Onyeka reflected on Nigeria’s impressive run, the influence of the coach, life as a professional footballer, and the lessons shaping his future.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

After what many would call a successful AFCON, how would you sum up your experience?

First of all, thank you for having me. It was a good tournament for us. Obviously, we wanted to win the trophy, but it didn’t happen. Still, when you look back at what we achieved, I think we improved a lot as players and as a group. That’s something very important we must take from this tournament.

On a personal level, you broke into the Super Eagles team during this tournament. Can we say it was a success for you?

Yes. Every player wants to play games, and I got the opportunity to play from the second match. I was happy about that, so personally, I would say it was a successful tournament for me.

Let’s talk about Morocco. That game was very tactical, and Nigeria didn’t look like the same team we had seen earlier. From a player’s perspective, what made the difference?

Tactically, Morocco were very good. They knew what we were going to do and tried to close us down, and that disrupted our game. Also, the referee made things easier for them. When we had our own moments and tried to call things out, it killed our momentum and gave them confidence. But credit to Morocco—they were very good.

Have you ever taken a penalty in your career?

(Laughs) Not in my life.

Is that deliberate, or do they just not pick you?

They don’t pick me, and I also try not to be involved. But I think it’s something I need to work on—trusting myself more to take penalties.

How are penalty takers usually decided in the team?

Sometimes the coach asks who wants to take one, and sometimes he just picks players directly. If you’re not comfortable, you can say so, but most times the players decide among themselves.

Before this AFCON, expectations were low due to struggles in the qualifiers. Yet in Morocco, you surprised everyone. Did you surprise yourselves?

I think it was a process. When the coach came in, we could already see what he wanted to do. As time went on, we blended better and understood each other more. That’s why we played better, especially on the ball. People say this is the best Super Eagles team they’ve seen in years, and dominating games at AFCON is not easy. So yes, we did really well.

Some people say the quality of pitches played a big role. Is that true?

Yes, definitely. When you play on a good pitch, everything flows—the touch, the pass, the shots, the movement. You don’t have to worry about your first touch. Everything becomes easier, and that helped us a lot.

There’s a perception that Nigeria plays better against North African teams. Do players see it that way?

We don’t really think like that as players. We approach every game the same way. But I will say that playing on good pitches makes a big difference. Some of the pitches in the qualifiers were very bad, and that affected our game.

Let’s talk about the coach, Eric Chelle. He finally gave you your chance. What would you say about him?

He’s a good man, a lovely person. He makes players feel comfortable and gives everyone a chance. He’s very open-minded, and that’s why the players love him. Working with him makes me really happy.

What are your wishes for him with the Super Eagles?

Honestly, I hope he stays. Having Eric Chelle as manager is one of the best things that has happened since I joined the national team.

Let’s talk about you now. You were born in Edo State, right?

Yes, I was born and raised in Edo State. Wikipedia sometimes gets it wrong.

What was your childhood like?

It wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t terrible either. I have four siblings—two brothers and two sisters—and I’m the second child. Growing up, my mum didn’t want me to play football at first, but later she supported me.

Your move to Denmark was a big step. How was that experience?

It was tough at first—the weather, the food, the language. But I had a host family who treated me like their own, and that made a big difference.

From Denmark to Brentford—how did that move happen?

It was planned. They wanted to keep me for one more year, and they promised to let me go after that. Since the owner was the same, the move to Brentford happened smoothly.

What is your best position on the pitch?

I’m most comfortable playing as a six or an eight, especially in a double pivot. That’s where I can give my best.

At 28, are you already thinking about life after football?

Yes, definitely. Football goes very fast. In a few years, you’re already 31, so you have to start thinking ahead.

Finally, how important is having the right people around you as a footballer?

It’s very important. You need more than just an agent—you need a team: a financial advisor, a lawyer, and people who can handle things so you can focus on football. That’s something many players, especially African players, don’t realise early enough.