Tremendous Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has confronted recent criticism over his squad choice for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers towards Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reviews.

Chelle unveiled a 39-man provisional squad on Tuesday forward of the fixtures, with Nigeria set to face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 earlier than internet hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo 4 days later.

Whereas the listing included a number of established internationals and in-form gamers, the invitation of Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho has sparked debate amongst soccer stakeholders.

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most-capped participant with 110 appearances and 18 targets, stays a revered determine after scoring at two World Cup tournaments and serving to the Tremendous Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) March 5, 2025

Nonetheless, the 32-year-old, who now plies his commerce with Kano Pillars within the Nigeria Skilled Soccer League, has not performed a aggressive minute for Nigeria since 2023.

Musa, who has scored six targets and supplied two assists in 17 appearances for Kano Pillars this season, was missed by earlier coaches George Finidi and Augustine Eguavoen. Nonetheless, Chelle’s choice to recall the veteran ahead has divided opinion.

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Middlesbrough striker Iheanacho has additionally struggled for type this season. The previous Manchester Metropolis man joined Sevilla final summer time after leaving Leicester Metropolis however endured a torrid spell in Spain, failing to attain in La Liga earlier than returning to England on mortgage in January. He’s but to seek out the web for Middlesbrough.

Official: Osimhen, Lookman, Ndidi in Eric Chelle’s first Tremendous Eagles squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe (FULL LIST) Tremendous Eagles pic.twitter.com/LZyhoWdfso

— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) March 4, 2025

Former BCC Lions captain Bolaji Douglas has turn into the newest voice to query the inclusion of the 2 gamers, suggesting their presence blocks alternatives for youthful, in-form abilities.

“It’s straightforward to identify the names,” Douglas instructed The Nation.

“Ahmed Musa has served the nation very nicely; I don’t see what he’s nonetheless doing there. He’s blocking somebody’s place. Kelechi Iheanacho has struggled this season. These two readily come to thoughts.”

Douglas, who captained BCC Lions to 2 FA Cup triumphs in 1993 and 1994, added that the nationwide workforce shouldn’t be a spot for gamers to regain type.

“The nationwide workforce ought to by no means turn into a rehabilitation centre or a spot to come back and wind down from the hectic calls for on the gamers by their golf equipment season,” Douglas mentioned.

“Whereas it might be mentioned that now isn’t the time to experiment with new gamers, it will possibly equally be mentioned that there must be no room for these not on high of their video games.”

Chelle’s choice to ask Musa and Iheanacho has come on the expense of a number of in-form Nigerian stars, with Nottingham Forest ahead Taiwo Awoniyi, Çaykur Rizespor’s Ibrahim Olawoyin, and LOSC Lille striker Chuba Akpom amongst these unnoticed.

With Nigeria nonetheless looking for their first win within the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following attracts towards Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa final yr, the stress shall be on Chelle to justify his squad choice when the Tremendous Eagles resume their qualifying marketing campaign.