Eric Chelle, head coach of the Super Eagles, has revealed his squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, according to Soccernet.ng.
Despite the announcement, the team selection has sparked more debate than confidence among Nigerian football enthusiasts, especially with the next two fixtures deemed critical for qualification.
The most pressing issue is the squad’s apparent imbalance: the absence of a natural right-back, a solitary creative midfielder, and an excessive number of forwards, totaling nine.
Absence of Natural Right-Backs in the Squad
The challenge intensified following the withdrawal of Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers due to injuries.
Eric Chelle adjusts his 23-man roster by bringing in Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche to replace the sidelined Cyriel Dessers and Bright Osayi-Samuel. #SoarSuperEagles #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/PeC6VloKOh
– Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 4, 2025
Adding to the defensive concerns, Felix Agu, another candidate for the right-back position, sustained a severe ankle injury during Werder Bremen’s match against St Pauli and is expected to miss the qualifiers with a 70% probability.
With Agu likely sidelined, Benjamin Fredrick, who primarily plays as a centre-back, remains the only option to fill in as an emergency right-back. This scenario presents a significant tactical dilemma ahead of these pivotal matches.
Midfield Creativity Falls Solely on Iwobi
The midfield choices by Chelle have also drawn scrutiny. The coach selected Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alhassan Yusuf-all known for their defensive capabilities-leaving Alex Iwobi as the lone creative force in the middle of the park.
Iwobi has made a promising start to the season with Fulham, contributing two assists and a goal, yet relying exclusively on him to orchestrate the team’s attacking play could be precarious, especially when facing tightly organized defenses.
In attack, Chelle’s approach appears heavily skewed. Even after substituting Dessers with Christantus Uche from Crystal Palace, the squad still boasts nine forwards, including notable names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Terem Moffi, Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Arokodare Tolu, and Akor Adams.
Concerns Over Squad Balance Ahead of Crucial Fixtures
While having a wealth of attacking options is advantageous, the evident lack of equilibrium in other key areas raises questions about Chelle’s tactical blueprint for the upcoming matches.
Though Chelle commands a roster rich in individual talent, the glaring voids-especially at right-back and in creative midfield roles-could be exploited by opponents like Benin and Lesotho, potentially undermining Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions.
Unless adjustments are made before these critical qualifiers, this squad selection might be viewed either as a high-risk gamble or a critical misstep that jeopardizes Nigeria’s path to the World Cup.
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