Super Eagles Coach Éric Chelle Opens Door for New Players in Upcoming Friendlies

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, is set to introduce fresh faces into the national team ahead of Nigeria’s friendly against Russia and the four-nation tournament in June.

Despite sticking with mostly familiar names in last month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Chelle has now hinted at expanding the squad to test new talents.

In the previous qualifiers, only Kayode Bankole, Papa Daniel, Igoh Ogbu, and Tolu Arokodare were fresh inclusions. The Eagles managed a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali but were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in Uyo.

The upcoming friendly match against Russia is scheduled for Friday, June 6, in Moscow. Meanwhile, the four-nation tournament in Ghana will feature Nigeria, Ghana (Black Stars), and Jamaica (Reggae Boys).

A Strategic Move for the World Cup Qualifiers

These friendlies are not just for show—they serve as crucial preparation for the Super Eagles ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Benin Republic and South Africa in September. With the stakes high, Chelle’s decision to test new players is a bold and necessary step.

Opinion: A Much-Needed Shakeup for the Super Eagles

Chelle’s move to expand the squad is a refreshing one. For too long, Nigeria has relied on a core group of players, some of whom have struggled with form and consistency.

With many young Nigerian players thriving in top European leagues, the national team must evolve and integrate new blood if they want to compete at the highest level.

While experience is valuable, football is about form, hunger, and ability, and giving fresh players a chance can inject new energy into the squad.

The upcoming matches will reveal whether Chelle's experiment will pay off, but one thing is certain: Nigeria needs competition for places, and this is a step in the right direction.