The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, is gearing up for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Head coach Éric Sékou Chelle has announced his final 23-man squad, but the selection has sparked controversy due to the surprising omission of two in-form players: Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche and Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers. Their absence has ignited debate among fans and pundits, questioning the coach’s rationale and expressing concerns about the team’s prospects in the upcoming qualifiers. The squad does include a handful of new faces, with Tolu Arokodare, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Igoh Ogbu, and Kayode Bankole receiving their first call-ups to the national team. These newcomers, alongside established players like Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman, bear the responsibility of securing crucial victories for Nigeria.
The exclusion of Christantus Uche is especially perplexing given his meteoric rise in Spanish football. After transferring from a third-division club to La Liga’s Getafe, Uche has quickly become a key player, contributing both goals and assists while impressing with his technical skills and relentless work rate. His performances have even attracted the attention of top European clubs, including Chelsea. Uche’s omission is particularly baffling considering his versatility and recent strong performance against Atletico Madrid. His contribution to Getafe’s 2-1 victory demonstrated his ability to impact a game across multiple facets, from passing and creating chances to winning tackles and recovering possession. His overall impact this season, going from the lower leagues to La Liga prominence and Player of the Month accolades, makes his absence from the national squad even more puzzling.
Similarly, Cyriel Dessers’ omission has raised eyebrows, given his prolific goal-scoring record for Rangers this season. Dessers has consistently found the back of the net, both domestically and in European competitions, outperforming several other strikers who were included in the squad. Specifically, his goal tally surpasses that of Victor Boniface, who was selected despite a recent return from injury and limited playing time. Dessers has also previously proven his ability to score at the international level, having already netted twice for Nigeria. His consistent performance throughout the season makes his exclusion a significant point of contention among fans. The selection of Sadiq Umar, currently on loan at Valencia, over Dessers has further fueled the debate, as Umar’s goal-scoring record this season doesn’t compare to Dessers’ output.
Chelle’s decision to include Joseph Ayodele-Aribo over Uche is another point of contention. While Aribo is a seasoned player with Premier League experience, Uche’s current form and potential make a strong case for his inclusion. The selection of Arokodare, currently leading the scoring charts in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, is more readily understood, although it doesn’t fully alleviate the concerns surrounding the omission of other key players. Ultimately, these selection choices highlight a disconnect between current player form and the coach’s preferences, leaving many fans questioning the overall strategy.
The reactions on social media underscore the widespread frustration and disappointment among Nigerian football fans. Many have expressed their disbelief at Dessers’ and Uche’s exclusions, questioning the coach’s judgment and suggesting that political considerations might be at play. The general sentiment is that both players deserved to be in the squad based on merit, and their absence weakens the team’s attacking options. The online commentary ranges from questioning specific selections, like Aribo over Uche, to expressing broader concerns about the potential negative impact on Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles face a must-win situation in their upcoming matches. Currently fifth in Group C, they need to secure victories against Rwanda and Zimbabwe to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The pressure is now firmly on Chelle to justify his controversial squad selection and deliver positive results. The upcoming matches will be a critical test for the coach, as he attempts to navigate a challenging qualifying campaign with a squad that has generated significant controversy. The absence of Uche and Dessers, combined with the inclusion of less experienced or less in-form players, adds an element of risk to these crucial encounters.
The omission of Uche and Dessers highlights the inherent complexities and subjective nature of squad selection. While coaches must consider a range of factors, including player form, experience, tactical fit, and team dynamics, the final decisions often involve difficult choices and inevitably lead to debate and disagreement. In this case, the exclusion of two in-form players has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about the coach’s priorities. The pressure is now on Chelle and the selected squad to perform on the pitch and justify the coach’s decisions. The upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe will be closely scrutinized, not only for the results but also for the performances of individual players and the overall effectiveness of the chosen team composition. The success of the Super Eagles in these crucial qualifiers will ultimately determine whether Chelle’s gamble pays off or backfires.
