Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shared his thoughts on the possibility of the current crop home-based Eagles forcing their way into his plans for the senior national team ahead of crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa next month, Footynaija.com reports.
Chelle and the home-based Eagles have endured a really disappointing African Nations Championship campaign, losing their first two group-stage games to Senegal and Sudan, and exiting the tournament even with one game remaining in the group stage.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of this dead-rubber tie with Congo, reporters quizzed the Franco-Malian manager about the possibility of members of the home-based Eagles squad forcing their way into the Super Eagles setup ahead of Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers in September.
“My squad has very good players despite the fact that we lost two games,”came Eric Chelle’s response.
“If the players want to make the Super Eagles team, they need to be prepared, they need to have the mindset. There is a lot of pressure because you must win.
“I don’t say they are not good, but they have to have the mindset. I have a reflection, I see and I think about something, but this is not the moment to say if a player can come or not. Most important is my reflection and my analysis about the team.”
Eric Chelle will be hoping the home-based Eagles can show how much grit and spirit is in their ranks by signing out of the African Nations Championship with a great performance and victory.
Right after, the Super Eagles boss will turn his focus to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria will take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, September 6, before facing South Africa at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein three days later.