Mixed Reactions Trail Eric Chelle’s 39-Man Super Eagles Squad
Malian gaffer, Eric Chelle, has sparked mixed reactions in the Nigerian football community with the announcement of his 39-man squad list.
The former RC Lens defender has named his first squad list as the new Super Eagles boss, doing so in a manner different from his predecessors.
Instead of the usual 23-man final list for each opponent, he has opted for a broader selection, from which 23 players will eventually be chosen.
Many believe the former Mali international made this decision to appease certain individuals, while others see it as a strategic move for the upcoming fixture.
Speaking with HifoxNews Sports Desk, some Nigerians described the list as the most inclusive list in many years, saying many players who have doing well were not over looked.
An Ibadan based Sports Administrator, Goke Oladele in his reactions said inclusion of many players would help the coach to pick the best of the best while unveiling the final 23 list in coming days.
According to him, there is need for the coach to look beyond sentiments while compiling his final team.
Meanwhile, Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has expressed his disappointment with the Super Eagles’ 39-man provisional list announced by head coach Eric Chelle ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Udeze, who played for the Super Eagles during his active career, questioned the large number of players invited for the doubleheader, stating that it was not the right time to experiment.
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Udeze believes the team should focus on a more streamlined squad rather than inviting a large number of players.
He also expressed surprise at including some players, stating that he never saw such a large invitation list during his time with the Super Eagles.
Reacting to the provisional list on Brila FM, Udeze said, “There are better ways to go about it, but 39 is too much. This is not the time to know everybody.”
Recall that Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, had yesterday unveiled a 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The list includes goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses.
Other notable names in the squad are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar.
First-time call-ups include defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, along with forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella could make a return if selected in the final 23-man squad.
Currently sitting fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho, Nigeria will face group leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.
Nigeria’s Provisional 39-Man Squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa) Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy) Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania) Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus) Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia) Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey) Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece) Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France) Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England) Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England) Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal) Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic) Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium) Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England) Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium) Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA) Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy) Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany) Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England) Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey) Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain) Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy) Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey) Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy) Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England) Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France) Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain) Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland) Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium) Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain) Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England) Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars) Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
