“A really bad headache” – Eric Chelle’s reaction to how Onyedika and other rotated Nigerian players performed against Uganda

Obi Donald

5 hours ago

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that the performance of the Nigerian players who featured in their 3-1 win against Uganda today will cause some selection problems, Soccernet.ng reports.

With a place in the round of sixteen secured after a win in their second group game against Tunisia, the Franco-Malian tactician opted to rest some of the players in his preferred starting lineup.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Bright-Osayi Samuel, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams all started the game on the bench.

Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu were reinstated into the starting lineup.

Eric Chelle of Nigeria during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Amavubi of Rwanda. Photo by Akpan Nsidibe Copyright: IMAGO

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Paul Onuachu opened the scoring for the three-time AFCON winners, before Raphael Onyedika completed the rout with a brace, eventually winning the man of the match award.

Samuel Chukwueze and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru were also creatively involved, as the duo combined for three assists at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.

Onyedika, Alebiosu impress Eric Chelle, manager looking to increase training intensity

The Club Brugge midfielder wowed fans on the pitch, and back at home, and the manager was pleased with his performance.

“I’m happy for him,” the 48-year-old told Soccernet.ng.

Samuel Chukwueze, Ryan Alebiosu, and Dele-Bashiru celebrate with Raphael Onyedika during the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Uganda and Nigeria on December 30th, 2025, at Complexe Sportif De Stade, Fes, Morocco. Photo by Segun OgunfeyitimixImago

Samuel Chukwueze, Ryan Alebiosu, Dele-Bashiru celebrate with Raphael Onyedika during the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Uganda and Nigeria — Samuel Chukwueze, Ryan Alebiosu, and Dele-Bashiru celebrate with Raphael Onyedika during the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Uganda and Nigeria on December 30th, 2025, at Complexe Sportif De Stade, Fes, Morocco. Photo by Segun OgunfeyitimixImago

Away from Onyedika, Blackburn’s Ryan Alebiosu made his debut for the Super Eagles of Nigeria tonight, and Chelle weighed in on the defender’s performance.

“It wasn’t bad at all. He did well; he had a very good state of mind.”

Overall, the former Mali coach concluded by saying the performance of the team he fielded tonight will cause him further headaches in the round of sixteen.

“I’m happy with the performance of a lot of players in this team, the whole group.

“So now they’re giving me a really bad headache because I have to make choices; I have a lot of choices to make.

“That’s it, they proved to everyone that this is not a team of eleven players, that it is a group. So, that’s fine.

“The training sessions are going to be with a lot of intensity, and now it’s up to me to make the right choices,” Eric Chelle concluded.

Nigeria celebrate a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Uganda and the Super Eagles of Nigeria on December 30th, 2025, at Complexe Sportif De Stade, Fes, Morocco. Photo by Segun OgunfeyitimixImago

The Super Eagles will be without Alebiosu for the remainder of the tournament after the Blackburn Rovers full-back suffered a deep cut on his right leg.