Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will improve the depth of the team after their bronze medal finish at the recently concluded AFCON in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
While Chelle will retain the bulk of the team when they resume for the AFCON qualifiers in March, he has however made a decision on some players after watching them at close quarters at the AFCON, and will likely not include them in his immediate plans.
Although there is still a chance that they return back to the squad in the future, especially if their club form become too hot to ensure, Chelle has however for the time being kept them aside for the second part of his project.
1. Zaidu Sanusi – Lost his spot to Bruno Onyemaechi and never got it back not even in the third place game. His future in the team is highly uncertain with Ola Aina who can play at left back also fit and available now.
2. Chidera Ejuke – Chelle had big hopes on him going to the tournament, but after his introduction against Tunisia in the 3-2 win where he failed to meet up of the defensive demand he didn’t get to play until a substitute role in the third place game. Not looking good for his future in the team.
3. Ebenezer Akinsamiro – He was supposed to push Alex Iwobi for the midfield role, so much that Chelle already tipped him as his joker. A poor performance against Egypt in a friendly game before the tournament didn’t help his cause and didn’t get a single minute at the AFCON. The idea is to allow him grow further before another invitation.
4. Chidozie Awaziem – A reliable backup since 2018, but it’s now looking like his time is almost up with Igho Ogbu now ahead of him as seen in the third place playoff against Egypt.
5. Usman Mohammed – Controversially included and that enough reason why he didn’t even make the match day squad even once. At 31 its clear that there is no way back for him.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
