Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Austin Eguavoen, and former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba have dismissed suggestions that head coach Eric Chelle was not fully in charge of selecting Nigeria’s squad for this month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelle, appointed as the new Super Eagles boss in January, on Tuesday unveiled a 23-man squad for the fixtures, with some surprise inclusions and omissions sparking debates among fans and pundits.
However, Eguavoen has clarified that the Franco-Malian coach had complete autonomy in picking his team, insisting there was no interference from the NFF’s technical committee.
Official Super Eagles squad list: Osimhen & Lookman in, Iheanacho out of Chelle’s 23 for Rwanda & Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/n8z5351vn6
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) March 11, 2025
Eguavoen, who briefly served as Nigeria’s interim coach before Chelle’s appointment, explained that the national team coach has the ultimate authority on squad selection.
“I want Nigerians to get clarity on something,” Eguavoen said, as per the Punch.
“I’ve been technical director for a few years and I have attended FIFA workshops where I ask questions a lot, and they made it clear to me that a senior national team coach anywhere in the world has the final say on who he wants on his list.
“We can interact, we cannot interfere. If he says no, it’s no. That is why they can fire a senior national team coach at any time. So I will say Eric Chelle took his time to prepare this list and he has the final say.”
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Ikpeba, a member of the NFF’s technical committee, echoed Eguavoen’s sentiments, emphasizing that Chelle has been closely monitoring a large pool of Nigerian players before finalizing his squad.
“This young man (Chelle) has a pool of about 45 to 50 Nigerian players abroad. So, it’s his discretion, and he has been monitoring these players in the provisional list. He knows his 23, 24, or 25 players—it’s his choice to make. So, there was no interference,” Ikpeba said.
Despite reassurances about Chelle’s control over team selection, some of his decisions have stirred controversy. The most notable exclusion is that of Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.
The veteran forward was included in Chelle’s provisional squad but failed to make the final cut, a decision that has left many questioning the coach’s reasoning.
Chelle’s goalkeeping choices have also raised concerns.
Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole was selected ahead of Adebayo Adeleye, who plays regularly for Cyprus-based Paralimni. Bankole, surprisingly, is not even the first-choice goalkeeper at his club, and his selection over Adeleye has left fans puzzled.
Another surprise omission is Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, currently on loan at Augsburg in the Bundesliga. Onyeka has been consistent for highflying Augsburg and has been one of Europe's top tacklers.
Instead, Alhassan Yusuf of MLS side New England Revolution was preferred, despite the fact that the MLS season only started three weeks ago.
First ever Nigerian Super Eagles For Papa Daniels from Niger Tornadoes FC in the Nigerian League.
— Mr. Nigerian Football (@AJSilverCFC) March 11, 2025
I promise you that he is good. Nigeria has real talent here.
Congratulations @Papaa_Mustapha @FotoNugget II @PoojaMedia II @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/8NWc9K95jC
The inclusion of Niger Tornadoes’ Papa Daniel has also sparked debate. He was picked ahead of Uche Chrisantus, who plays for Spanish club Getafe. More significantly, Papa has not played competitive football for several weeks due to his ongoing trials in Europe, raising questions about his match fitness.
Super Eagles' World Cup hopes hanging by a thread
With only three points from their opening four matches, Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are under serious threat.
The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in their qualifying group, four points behind leaders Rwanda, with six games left to play.
Their upcoming fixtures against Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25 are now crucial in reviving their qualification hopes. Anything less than two wins could put their chances of reaching the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in serious jeopardy.
