Tag: Eric Chelle

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AFCON 2025: Chelle Names Final 28-Man Super Eagles Squad (Full List)

Eric Chelle, the Head coach of the Super Eagles, has released his final squad list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle has trimmed his initial 50-man squad to 28 players.

The most obvious absentee is captain William Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international football last week.

However, vice-captains Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen make the cut.

The deadline for the submission of the final squads was December 10.

The Super Eagles squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)

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AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle warned against overreliance on Osimhen

Former Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida has cautioned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against what he calls a “dangerous” overreliance on Victor Osimhen ahead of AFCON 2025.

He insists Nigeria cannot build its ambitions for a fourth continental title around one player, no matter how influential.

Data exposes worrying dependency

Osimhen’s impact on the team is undisputed. With 31 goals in 43 games, he is closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record, and Nigeria’s results reflect his importance.

With him available, the Super Eagles have lost just five of 40 matches. Without him, they have suffered 11 defeats in 29.

AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle warned against overreliance on Osimhen
Chelle warned against over dependence on Osimhen – Getty image

That gulf showed during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria failed to win any of their first four games while Osimhen was injured.

His return brought six goals in six matches and a haul of 14 points, yet the team still fell behind South Africa in the race for automatic qualification.

Collapse against Congo reveals wider structural issue

Osimhen inspired Nigeria past Gabon in the playoff, but when he limped off in the final versus DR Congo, the team fell apart and eventually lost on penalties.

Babangida says moments like that highlight a system too dependent on the striker.

Speaking to Tribal Football, he said Chelle must “fix” the issue and build a squad capable of performing with or without the Galatasaray forward.

He added that every player selected must take responsibility and maintain performance levels irrespective of Osimhen’s availability.

Mentality shift needed ahead of AFCON 2025

Babangida stressed that injuries are part of football and Osimhen’s absence should not “throw the Super Eagles into a mess.”

He urged the coach to instil confidence across the squad, particularly among the attackers, so the team can operate effectively even when their talisman is unavailable.

Nigeria face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C, opening their AFCON 2025 campaign on December 23 against Tanzania.

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NFF denies claims of owing Chelle two months’ salary, calls out NSC

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has rejected reports alleging that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is being owed two months’ salary ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle, appointed in January with clear performance targets, World Cup qualification and a semi-final berth at AFCON, guided Nigeria from fourth to second in Group C of the CAF qualifiers, finishing one point behind South Africa.

He then steered the team through the playoffs, beating Gabon before losing to DR Congo on penalties.

NFF denies claims of owing Chelle two months’ salary, calls out NSC
NFF denies owing Eric Chelle – Getty image

Payment responsibility lies elsewhere

The NFF insists it bears no responsibility for Chelle’s wages. According to OwnGoal, an official clarified that salary matters fall under the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Shehu Dikko.

The official also corrected circulating rumours, noting that Chelle is owed two months, not three.

“The NFF is not responsible for paying Chelle. The NSC handles that, so they should explain why he hasn’t been paid for October and November,” the official said.

Wider context around financial concerns

This comes after Super Eagles players protested unpaid allowances dating back to 2019 before the World Cup playoff campaign.

Despite the turbulence, Chelle earned a reprieve from the NFF Technical Committee following his strong performances in both qualifying phases, prompting a renewed mandate for AFCON 2025.

The coach has yet to publicly confirm or dispute reports of his outstanding salary.

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AFCON 2025: NFF Reportedly Owing Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle Three Months Salary

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is reportedly owing the head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, for at least three months.

This was revealed by BBC Sport’s journalist, Oluwashina Okeleji, via his X account on Tuesday.

Okeleji, however, noted that Chelle is yet to make an official complaint to his employers.

“Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON,” Okeleji wrote.

“The Malian, who led the Eagles to 2026 World Cup playoff, has however yet to make an official complaint to his employers (the NFF) about the non-payment of his salary.”

Chelle is expected to submit his final 28-man squad ahead of the AFCON by Wednesday, December 10.

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AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle Releases Super Eagles’ Provisional Squad (Full List)

Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles coach, has unveiled his provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Chelle released the list in a post via Super Eagles’ official X account on Tuesday.

The list includes the likes of Victor Osimhen, Lookman Ademola and Tolu Arokodare to lead the attack.

The likes of goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali are also included in the list.

The midfield are made up of the likes of Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.

The 2025 AFCON will commence later this month and will end in January, 2026.

Full list of Super Eagles’ provisional squad include;

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos);

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors);

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria)

 

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The Moment Super Eagles’ Coach, Eric Chelle Almost Got Into A Fight With DR Congo Staff Following Nigeria’s Defeat (Video)

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle nearly clashed with a member of the DR Congo staff following Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss last night.

DR Congo came back from a goal down to beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in a tightly-contested African play-offs final on Sunday, November 16, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, picking Africa’s sole ticket for the intercontinental play-offs billed for March next year.

Before a final penalty, Chelle was seen attempting to start a fight with a member of the DR Congo staff. He had to be held back by some of his coaching crew.

During his post-match interview,  Éric Chelle stated that the reason for his anger was that the Democratic Republic of the Congo team was performing rituals on the sidelines during the penalty shootout to disrupt the game.

“Throughout every second of the penalty shootout, a member of the DR Congo team’s staff did some voodoo.

“This was the case for every penalty kick, and it made me feel very uncomfortable,” he said.

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Nigeria vs Benin: ‘We Have opportunity’ – Troost-Ekong On How Super Eagles Will Secure World Cup Ticket

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has expressed confidence ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, saying Eric Chelle’s Benin Republic side presents an “opportunity” for Nigeria to capitalize on.

According to Troost-Ekong, Nigeria needs to beat Benin in Uyo and do that convincingly with more than one goal.

The former Watford defender spoke at his post-match interview after leading the Super Eagles to beat Lesotho 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Friday.

“We want to be at the World Cup, we have said that now for the last nine months,”Troost-Ekong said.

“We have the opportunity now with the game in Uyo against Benin [Republic], who we know we have to score a certain number of goals.

“It was always the case that we needed to win the game and we had to win it convincingly.”

Benin Republic is three points ahead of Nigeria and two points ahead of South Africa in Group C standings.

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I’m Not Interested In Eric Chelle’s Job – Eguavoen Says

Augustine Eguavoen, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has made it clear that he has no interest whatsoever in taking up the Super Eagles coaching role.

There were reports in the media that the NFF has lined up Eguavoen and Ladan Bosso as replacement for Chelle should the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to the publication, Eguavoen and Bosso will also lead the Super Eagles to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Eguavoen said he is hurt with the baseless rumours.

“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from.

“I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad.

“I am praying for him to succeed,” Eguavoen told thenff.com.

The Super Eagles will be in action against the Crocodiless of Lesotho on Friday.

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2026 WCQ: Nigeria’s 1-1 Draw With South Africa Good Result – Super Eagles Coach, Chelle

Eric Chelle, Super Eagles coach has reacted to Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier 1-1 draw with South Africa.
Recall that the game was played on Tuesday.
Chelle spoke to reporters at his post-match interview after the game at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Recall that William Troost-Ekong’s own-goal gave Bafana Bafana the lead in the 22nd minute.
But Calvin Bassey equalized for the Super Eagles before half time.
Both teams failed to score in the second half as the match ended in a draw after normal time.
 
“At the beginning in the second half we put alot of pressure on South Africa but missing something maybe the last technical skills, maybe the last pass,” Chelle said.
“So the draw with a good result, to get a draw in South Africa, it’s a good result but for us we wanted to win, so we are a little dissapointed but this is football.”
Chelle’s side are in their position with 11 points with two games left, while South Africa and Benin Republic have 17 and 16 points, respectively.
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2026 WCQ: Chelle Releases Final Super Eagles 23-Man List For Rwanda, S/Africa Showdown

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa scheduled for next month.

While there are the regulars included, there are also notable omissions.

The likes of Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have been left out. Also Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad would not be playing any part.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers.

The selected 23 include:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).

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