Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained his decision to leave goalkeeper Maduka Okoye out of his latest squad. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.
Stressing that his selection decisions are based on considerations both on and off the pitch, Chelle insisted that the national team is not obligated to any particular player.
The Franco-Malian tactician added that his choices will continue to be guided by his assessment of what is best for the squad.
His words, “The national team is not close to him or anyone. I made my choice and when I made my choice I made it around the pitch and outside it.”
The Nigeria national football team represents Nigeria in international men’s football. Governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), they are three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, with their most recent title in 2013.
In February 2024, the Nigerian national football team was ranked 28th in the FIFA rankings. The team has qualified for six of the last nine FIFA World Cups, missing only the 2006, 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
They have reached the round of 16 on three occasions. Their first World Cup appearance was in the 1994 edition. The Nigeria Football Federation is affiliated with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but were successful in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, qualifying for the final tournament in South Africa after an 8–3 aggregate win over Liberia. They defeated Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final to lift the Cup for the third time.
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