Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has expressed confidence in his squad selection for the Unity Cup and believes that his team can go all the way and win the competition, Soccernet.ng reports.
Last week, the Nigeria Football Federation announced a list of 26 players for the Unity Cup, a four-nation tournament that involves Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Like the other participating nations, a lot of new names made the list. Coach Chelle also added nine players to his squad.
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The team have already opened camp in London. And ahead of Nigeria’s opening game against Ghana on Wednesday, Chelle spoke about the team.
The former Mali coach noted that despite the addition of a lot of new names to his squad, the target is to get the players to understand his philosophy and win the Unity Cup.
“We have a lot of players in Nigeria, so we need to give a chance to the lot of players. They can show us their quality,” Chelle said on NFF TV.
“So I can tell you something, we are focused, we have a game project, we want to beat the group, We want to create an identity with the game project.
“So, in this team, we need to put some player who can you can learn quickly this game project. So Unity Cup is a great moment to try some players, to try some other systems, to be ready in September.”
The real reason why Eric Chelle named ten NPFL players in his squad
In recent years, the best NPFL players have only made at CHAN team at best. However, coach Eric Chelle named ten home-based players to his team for the Unity Cup.
According to the 47-year-old tactician, he selected them because he felt they could improve his team. As such, he will give them an opportunity to prove themselves.
“I was in Nigeria and I watched two NPFL games, and I spent my time to analyze the players, to analyze the other players. And I think they have some quality, and they deserve to have a chance,” Chelle added.
“I’m sure they can bring lots of intensity, lots of aggressivity. A lot of envy to play for was this jersey. You know, I picked ten players from the NFPL, and I tell you that they are good players.
Will Ahmed Musa play for the Super Eagles again?
Chelle did not add Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa to his squad In his first two games as coach. But the Kano Pillars man was named in the Unity Cup team.
Chelle respects Musa’s status as a leader in the team, and he acknowledges his quality. But he has challenged the former CSKA Moscow star to bring his A-game and prove that he merits a regular shirt.
“I think Ahmed (Musa) is a good player. He’s a great player. I think every Nigerian knows that. This is, for me the reality, that is the fact,” Chelle said.
“The second thing he can bring is his quality, and he can bring his experience. He knows the game, because he has played a lot of games, a lot of big game, so he can bring something to the group.
“So my vision, just like the other players, is to give him a chance. He needs to take this chance and show us what he can do. And after that, he can play.
“If he plays a great game, he can come or he can’t. But for him, I think he has lot of pressure because he needs to be very good.”
The Super Eagles wil take on Ghana on Wednesday at the Brentford Stadium, and coach Chelle will hjope to get a win.