Days after the Malian tactician drops a 39 man provisional squad list, which featured a mixture of seasoned international players, some new faces and a few home based stars, Eric Chelle has named his final selection.
Ahead of important dates with Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month, games where he is expected to get Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers back on track, the former Mali boss has decided on his trusted allies.
Without a doubt, there were a few players who must be feeling a little let down having missed out in the final list, even so as they’ve been in their best form in recent weeks, but their is no denying that Chelle made some bold calls, which shows he is a man with authority.
The initial 39 man squad seems a bit excessive, but it was rather a kind gesture to assure and reassure Eagles that he is recognizes their efforts and wish to work with them in his reign as the boss, but out of the so many that were called, much less can be chosen.
Captain of the team and now Kano Pillars forward Ahmed Musa was dropped, signalling an imminent end to his time with the national team as four other players, including two home based stars, receive their first-ever call up. Nathan Tella and Joe Aribo make their comebacks.
From the NPFL goalkeeper union to Tolu Arokodare and three other new faces, here is how Eric Chelle’s final selection look for the March FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
How Eric Chelle decided his final squad
Dropping 16 players from a list is never easy. As much hurt the overlooked players feel, so it is also difficult for the manager who made the calls.
Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali, Kayode Bankole and Amas Obasogie made the final list with Maduka Okoye dropped in one of the shocking decisions made by Chelle. He is joined on the sidelines by Adebayo Adeleye.
Given Okoye has been the deputy to Nwabali since the Udinese man lost his spot, it is very surprising that he has been overlooked by Chelle in favour of Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole and Amas Obasogie of Singida Black Stars of Tanzania.
The goalkeepers have made vital contributions to their respective teams’ league campaign, and 47-year-old Chelle is proud to give them chances, a decision that underscores his passion for African leagues.
The decision is nonetheless a tough one to swallow for Okoye, yet, maybe he needs more time to overcome recent hardship with the national team and focus more on his club, Udinese.
Defenders
Captain William Troost-Ekong is joined by Premier League stars like Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey. Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemachi also keep their places in the squad.
Slavia Prague center back Igoh Ogbu, who represented the Flying Eagles in the 2019 Under-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland gets his first-ever call up to the national team, and the 25-year-old completes a list of six defenders.
An august name omitted from the final squad amongst the defenders is Zaidu Sanusi, who has fallen out of favour at his club FC Porto, featuring only two times so far this season.
Foreign based players, Gabriel Osho and Joshua Torunarigha, as well as Ifeanyi Onyebuchi of Rangers International of Enugu, are the other three defenders not in the final list.
Midfielders
The midfield is the department where Nigeria really need upgrades but so far, no stand out name has emerged in elite leagues. The ten names in the provisional list was reduced to six, headlined by senior figures like Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi. Joe Aribo is also welcomed back to the group as Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika keep their places.
23-year-old Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes, who receives his first-ever call up to the national team, completes the list, and if selected to debut, will be one to look out for in the March games.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru misses out due to fitness concerns while Frank Onyeka’s absence came as a real shock. The 27-year-old has been one of the country’s best midfielders abroad this season, following his loan move to Augsburg last summer.
New names like Chrisantus Uche of Getafe and Anthony Dennis of Goztepe were also left out. Disappointing not to make the final list but the recognition gives them hope for the future.
Attackers
This is where the strength of the team is, as Nigeria have some of the best strikers even in the elite leagues of the world.They have been banging in goals consistently for their respective clubs this season, making the slot in the Super Eagles squad a very competitive one.
As expected, current and former CAF Player of the year winners, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen respectively headline the list, and are joined by Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Victor Boniface.
Nathan Tella of Bayer Leverkusen makes a return to the team and the same goes for Sadiq Umar, who has managed to get his season back on track following his move to Valencia in January.
The final name on the list is Tolu Arokodare of Belgian outfit, Genk. Tolu is current the top scorer in the league with 16 goals, while he has played a direct involvement in 23 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for the club.
With the 24-year-old striker being the only new face in the attack, it takes away the chance of another deserving option in Cyriel Dessers of Rangers, who has also been on an impressive form for the Scottish club.
22 goals and six assists, making 28 goals across all competitions this season, Dessers is Nigeria’s joint most productive player alongside Victor Osimhen.
No room for Ahmed Musa, Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho, the latter who is enduring a really rough phase. Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu have also been excluded.
Winners
The big winner of the selection is Genk striker, Tolu Arokodare. He has been on sensation form this season and on the lookout for international recognition.
Eric Chelle has given him a big chance and if given the chance to feature later this month, the fans will be keen to see what he brings to the team, given he was selected ahead of Cyriel Dessers, who is also having a fine season.
Nigerian Premier League duo of Papa Daniel Mustapha and Kayode Bankole are also top winners. Beneficiaries of the intention of Chelle to integrate at least two home based players into the national team.
Niger Tornadoes midfielder Mustapha will have the better chance of starring for the team this month as only five other midfielders have been called up.
Kayode Bankole on the other hand, gets his reward for consistent performances for league leaders Remo Stars over the years, since the club made their return to the topflight in 2021.
Igoh Ogbu of Slavia Prague and striker, Sadiq Umar are also big winners. Although Sadiq has been able to get back on his feet, the decision to include him in the team is more than what he offers on the pitch.
It is a concept of federal character that must be met, and the Valencia striker’s inclusion satisfy the three majority tribes in the country which must have at least one representative in the Super Eagles squad.
Losers
Cyriel Dessers and Frank Onyeka are the two names who deserved to be on the list based on metrics but have not been included by Eric Chelle.
Frank Onyeka more importantly given the team’s need for midfielders and how he had been a major part of the team, while even though Dessers has been on form, he will still be considered secondary option to other strikers.
Maduka Okoye is also another name, while Chrisantus Uche may also feel let down, but it’s his first time getting recognition in the national team anyways so he might take that fact as a consolation.
Not much complain on Kelechi Iheanacho, who has not deserved to be on the squad based on the season he is having, while the time to call it a day with the team may be looming for captain, Ahmed Musa.
Match Schedule
Nigeria will face Rwanda in the 45,000 plus Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali on the 21st of March before returning home to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo for their meeting with Zimbabwe on the 25th.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
