Super Eagles news: Ilenikhena reveals Chelle conversation that changed his Nigeria decision

Super Eagles striker George Ilenikhena’s path to the Nigeria national team began with a conversation in French, Soccernet.ng reports.

Eric Chelle personally convinced the Al-Ittihad striker to choose Nigeria after years spent developing inside the French football system.

A source with knowledge of the situation told Soccernet that Chelle was the man who persuaded Ilenikhena to represent Nigeria, doing so in French.

The language created a natural bridge between the Cote d'Ivoire-born coach and a striker who left Nigeria at three, grew up in France and came through Amiens before progressing to Royal Antwerp and Monaco. Ilenikhena also represented France at youth level, making Chelle’s intervention particularly significant as Nigeria sought to secure his senior allegiance.

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The 20-year-old’s decision eventually became public in September, when he posted a photograph of himself wearing a Super Eagles shirt beside a Nigerian eagle statue, captioning it “Naija”. Chelle liked the post before the Nigeria Football Federation formally named Ilenikhena in the 24-man squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

Ilenikhena later described his first invitation as an honour and said he was proud to represent the country where he was born, revealing that he immediately called his parents after receiving the news.

Super Eagles: Chelle’s Instagram clue came before the invitation

There was another clue that Chelle had already taken a close interest in Ilenikhena before his name appeared on the official squad list.

Chelle shared a goal clip involving Ilenikhena on his Instagram Story before the striker received his Super Eagles invitation.

The social-media post now looks striking in retrospect, given that Chelle subsequently selected Ilenikhena for Nigeria’s qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Ilenikhena justified the faith almost immediately, scoring in first-half stoppage time on his senior debut against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25. His goal cancelled out Ehsan Kari’s 15th-minute opener before fellow debutant Moses Usor completed Nigeria’s 2-1 comeback.

The Al-Ittihad forward now enters the Super Eagles picture alongside Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare as Nigeria aim to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.