Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has yet revealed his plans to use the June international window to shop out more players for the Super Eagles, adding he has a long list of players to give a look-in.
The Franco-Malian got a flying start with a 2-0 win away to Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers but nearly got his fingers burnt after Zimbabwe got a late equaliser in Uyo much to the chagrin of Nigerians.
But in an interview, Chelle said that his next target is to freshen up his squad ‘in some key positions’ with some eligible Nigerians abroad in the upcoming international friendly matches.
Super Eagles will face Russia for the first time in an international friendly game in June before taken part in a four nation invitational tournament which has Jamaica and Ghana in the same month.
Chelle reportedly has Lesley Ugochukwu, George Ilenikhena, Carney Chukwuemeka among others among the players he has on his radar to discuss with, with a prospect to play for Nigeria.
“He shows me a long list of over 30 such players, from Lesley Ugochukwu to George Ilenikhena and Carney Chukwuemeka,”
“There are lots of players who can still play for Nigeria. I will work with the NFF to make this possible,” Chelle noted.
The former Malian coach was quoted as saying that he was looking forward with a lot of excitement to the June international break as it will afford him the chance to have the Super Eagles for probably the longest period .
This would afford him the chance to take a closer look at some players who were not part of his first two matches in March’s World cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
“I am here to work,” he maintained.
Chelle affirmed that his immediate priority is to prepare a team that will be ready to beat Rwanda first on MatchDay Seven in September before facing the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in what would be a do or die affairs in Johannesburg on MatchDay eight .
“It’s an obligation we win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo,” he noted.
