Nigeria: Former Super Eagles stars clash over Eric Chelle’s AFCON squad

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been overshadowed by debate following the release of head coach Eric Chelle’s final 28-man Super Eagles squad, Soccernet.ng reports.

Coach Chelle’s roster, released on Thursday, has sparked immediate and intense debate, with two former internationals offering sharply contrasting interpretations of the list.

The tournament, which runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will be hosted in Morocco, and Chelle’s squad composition suggests a manager willing to take calculated risks.

The final list includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards, but it is the balance between experience and experimentation that has raised eyebrows.

Among the notable inclusions are several relatively unfamiliar names at international level: Blackburn Rovers full-back Ryan Alebiosu, Pisa midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Israel-based Usman Muhammed, Zulte Waregem defender Tochukwu Nnadi, and Istra 1961 striker Lawal Salim Fago. Their selection, alongside the omission of more established European-based players, has split opinion across Nigeria’s football community.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo has urged patience and understanding, arguing that only Chelle truly understands the logic behind his choices. He suggested that injuries, fitness timelines, and long-term squad planning may all have influenced the final list.

Speaking with SportingLife, Ekpo explained, “Every good player that is not listed in the Super Eagles final squad for AFCON, I believe Eric Chelle knows why. For the injured players, I think the coach must have considered the timing of the Super Eagles matches and their fitness date, respectively.

“It’s a normal thing that every player takes over from one player at some point, then they progress to the next stage.

“So for me, the introduction of new players to the team is not a bad idea because these are the players that will form the bedrock of the Super Eagles later. Although it would have been great if some of the new players were involved in the AFCON or World Cup qualifiers, he knows the reasons why he’s bringing them in at the moment.”

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Nigeria: Udeze takes aim at Chelle and the NFF

If Ekpo struck a conciliatory tone, former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze was far more direct.

Speaking after the squad announcement, Udeze criticised both Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation, describing elements of the squad as “questionable”.

Udeze expressed concern over the inclusion of players from less prominent leagues, particularly when home-based performers and established European professionals were overlooked. He singled out Usman Muhammed, a 31-year-old midfielder playing in Israel’s Ironi Tiberias, as emblematic of his concerns.

“Why bring in a player that plays in the second division (Ed. Ironi Tiberias play in the top flight) in Israel?” he asked during a radio interview on Brila FM.

Another major flashpoint was the omission of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, a regular performer in Serie A. Okoye’s absence, coupled with the selection of goalkeepers based in Cyprus and Tanzania, drew strong criticism.

“Leaving Maduka Okoye out is questionable… he is a regular for Udinese, but we have goalkeepers from Cyprus and Tanzania who made the list,” Udeze remarked.

The exclusion of Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare further fuelled the debate, with many observers believing his European experience could have added depth to Nigeria’s attacking options.

Despite his criticism, Udeze was careful to reaffirm his loyalty to the national team.

“For me the Super Eagles final squad list is questionable because there are some players I believe have nothing to do in the team. But Super Eagles is my team and I will support them.”

Nigeria will open their Group C campaign against Tanzania on December 23, with Tunisia and Uganda also lying in wait.