Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has insisted that earning a place in the Nigeria squad has become increasingly difficult, citing the depth of quality competing for places across every department of the team.
Chelle explained that any player hoping to break into the team would have to outperform a host of established internationals already occupying key positions, regardless of where they play on the pitch.
“It’s very difficult to enter in that national team. If you see all the positions, you want to play in centre-back, you have Calvin Bassey, you have Semi Ajayi, Benjamin Fredericks, Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez. You want to play on the full-backs, you have Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi,” Chelle said.
He added that the competition extended into midfield and attack, where the Super Eagles boast some of the continent’s most recognisable names.
“You want to play in the midfield, you know the magician Alex Iwobi. The reality is you have to be better than all of these guys to enter that team. You want to play like a striker? Victor Osimhen is the best striker in the world. So, guys, come, this is not a present. You have to give everything, the intensity, the aggressiveness. If you deserve to play for the qualifying to AFCON, I have no problem with that,” he said.
The Franco-Malian coach has overseen significant changes to the Super Eagles squad in recent months, having handed senior debuts to several new faces during the Unity Cup in London, which Nigeria won after beating Jamaica 3-0 in the final. Among those introduced were Femi Azeez, Owen Oseni, Arthur Okonkwo and Rafiu Durosinmi, while Abdullahi Bewene and Christian Akpan have also earned recent call-ups.
Chelle has previously explained that the changes were guided by a desire to raise the overall quality of the squad and close the gap between Nigeria and the continent’s leading sides.
“We have analysed our game over the past year and have tried to bring in players who can help the team grow. We need to improve because, for me and for everyone, it is often the smallest details that make the difference between being the best team and winning a trophy,” he said.
The coach’s emphasis on competition for places comes at a time when his own future with the Super Eagles remains the subject of speculation, with his contract discussions with the Nigeria Football Federation yet to be concluded. Chelle has previously apologised to Nigerians for the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and their semi-final exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while maintaining his desire to continue leading the team.
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