Eric Chelle has unveiled his first provisional squad as head coach of the Super Eagles ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The 47-year-old has been closely monitoring players from both domestic and international leagues since taking over from Augustine Eguavoen. The 23-man squad he released reflects his approach and thinking for the upcoming fixtures.
Notably, two experienced players, Ahmed Musa and Maduka Okoye, were dropped from the squad. Chelle included two home-based players: goalkeeper Kayode Bankole and midfielder Papa Daniel. There was also a maiden call-up for KRC Genk forward Tolu Arokodare, while Joe Aribo also made the list.
“I thought it was underwhelming,” said Solace Chukwu, Site Coordinator for AfrikFoot NG, in an interview with DAILY POST. “Given the Super Eagles’ precarious situation, experimentation was always likely to be minimal, but there was nothing in the squad that indicated it was drawn up by a new coach. Eguavoen, had he still been in charge, probably would have arrived at something similar.”
Does Chelle’s final squad reveal his tactical vision?
Solace added, “All we can infer is that he likely wants his midfield to control possession. This might explain the omission of regular Frank Onyeka. Beyond that, the formation and strategy could vary.”
Regardless of the tactical setup, one thing is clear: Nigeria must secure a victory against Rwanda in Kigali. The Super Eagles have yet to win in Group C, drawing three of their first four matches.
The three-time African champions now face a must-win situation to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Solace acknowledges the difficulty of the task: “I think it will be tough. Nigeria’s last visit there ended in a draw, and while Rwanda has recently parted ways with their coach, they’ll be encouraged by their past results against Nigeria. The fact that the Super Eagles are under new management makes the challenge even harder.”
