Super Eagles Coach Eric Sekou Chelle is a man stuck between sack rumours and a herculean task of navigating an all-important FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda and away to South Africa.
In an interview with Osasu, Chelle exhibited the demeanor of an assured man who is sure of the outcome.
Despite the storm behind him, Chelle’s provisional list provides insights into immediate plans and a glimpse of the future Eagles.
In the short term, Chelle’s pick includes team captain William Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Simon Moses in a provisional list of 31 for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa.
However, Cyriel Dessers, who impressed at the 2025 Unity Cup Tournament that Nigeria won in London in the summer, also made the list, with returns for goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and forward Terem Moffi.
Chelle Future Eagles Plan.
Meanwhile, youthful goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, young defenders Benjamin Fredericks, Igoh Ogbu, and midfielder Christantus Uche are in the provisional list.
The core represents an exciting future for the Eagles as they are all in their teens and early twenties.
Ahead of Chelle is the AFCON, and whatever happens in the World Cup qualifiers, he is planning with the core.
Also, other invitees include defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella.
Fourth-placed Nigeria take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, September 6th, in a Matchday 7 encounter, before flying to Bloemfontein to confront South Africa in a potentially explosive Matchday 8 encounter on Tuesday, September 9th.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s camp for the two crucial matches will open in Uyo on Monday, 1st September.
Chelle’s PROVISIONAL LIST FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)