Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen, has clarified that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle had full control over the final squad selection for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with no interference from the technical committee.
Nigeria will take on Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday, March 25, in a bid to revive their World Cup qualification hopes.
Last week, Chelle released a 39-man provisional squad for his first set of assignments as Nigeria’s head coach. On Tuesday, he finalized his 23-man squad ahead of the team’s training camp, which kicks off in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sunday.
The initial provisional list comprised five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielders, and 14 attackers, including seven potential debutants. However, after the final cut, only 23 players remained, with four debutants making the squad.
Chelle last worked in MC Oran before signing a contract with the NFF
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Eguavoen, who previously served as interim coach before Chelle’s appointment, emphasized that the final decision rested solely with the coach.
“I want Nigerians to understand that a senior national team coach always has the final say on squad selection,” Eguavoen said on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football. “As technical director, I have attended FIFA workshops where this was made clear—coaches make their own decisions.
We can interact, but we cannot interfere. If he says no to a player, it’s a no. That’s why national team coaches can be dismissed at any time. Eric Chelle carefully prepared this list, and he had the final say.”
Former Super Eagles forward and technical committee member Victor Ikpeba echoed Eguavoen’s stance during the show.
“Chelle has a pool of 45 to 50 Nigerian players abroad to choose from,” Ikpeba noted. “He has been monitoring these players in the provisional list and already knows his preferred squad. The final decision was entirely his, with no interference.”
Nigeria faces the risk of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Following a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign, the three-time African champions sit in fifth place with just three points from four matches—four points behind group leaders Rwanda, with six games remaining.
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The upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are crucial, as victories in both matches are vital to keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive.
