Tremendous Eagles head coach Eric Chelle made a giant splash on Monday when he launched the squad record for Nigeria’s video games in opposition to Rwanda and Zimbabwe this March, Soccernet.ng experiences.
The Malian tactician, appointed in January, forged a large internet with a 39-man provisional record forward of Nigeria‘s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
It was a squad that ticked a number of bins — combining the expertise of established stars with the promise of contemporary faces. The inclusion of Nigerian league gamers and the recall of long-forgotten names signalled a brand new period of meritocracy and open-door coverage.
But, for all its inclusiveness, Chelle’s record was not with out controversy. The absence of three notable names — Taiwo Awoniyi, Ibrahim Olawoyin, and Chuba Akpom — left many questioning whether or not the previous Lens defender had missed a trick in his maiden squad.
READ MORE
- Eric Chelle’s 39-man Tremendous Eagles squad: Is it a wise transfer or overkill?
- Ogbu, Dennis, Mustapha, Onyebuchi, others: Who’re the Tremendous Eagles first-timers?
- Anthony Dennis: Meet Nigeria & Goztepe’s rising gem and Eric Chelle’s youngest Tremendous Eagles call-up
Taiwo Awoniyi: Eric Chelle’s curious omission
Few omissions from Chelle’s record have sparked as a lot debate as Taiwo Awoniyi’s.
The Nottingham Forest striker might not have loved his most prolific marketing campaign this season, with only one Premier League objective to his title, however his work ethic and bodily presence stay invaluable.
Awoniyi has been a dependable performer for Nigeria lately, scoring essential targets on the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His exclusion turns into much more puzzling contemplating Chelle’s choice to incorporate out-of-form and injury-hit forwards like Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams, who’ve barely featured for his or her golf equipment in 2025.
Taiwo Awoniyi celebrated his first Premier League objective of the season by protecting his face with shinpads.
They had been inscribed with the Bible verse James 1:17: “Each good and excellent present is from above.” ⚽ pic.twitter.com/Xx0kDDU2zQ
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) January 7, 2025
Get Our Sports activities Information First – Be a part of Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
If health or kind had been the standards, Awoniyi’s constant availability ought to have earned him a spot forward of those two. His aerial menace and talent to carry up play might have provided Nigeria an alternate dimension in assault — a side Eric Chelle might rue lacking out on.
Ibrahim Olawoyin: Eric Chelle’s forgotten creator
Ibrahim Olawoyin’s absence is one other choice that raises eyebrows, particularly given Nigeria’s struggles to create possibilities from midfield in latest matches.
The Rizespor playmaker has been one in every of Nigeria’s best midfielders in Europe this season, registering three targets and 7 assists within the Turkish Tremendous Lig.
With Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru battling accidents and Alex Iwobi overworked at Fulham, Olawoyin’s exclusion is tough to justify — notably when the squad is already overloaded with defensive midfielders.
Alhamdulilah for the objective and our first consecutive win (SuperLig) in three months. Come on Rize! pic.twitter.com/eueO1wYF5D
— Ibrahim Olawoyin (@brymzy10) March 2, 2025
Olawoyin presents one thing totally different — a direct dribbler with an eye fixed for objective and the imaginative and prescient to unlock defences. His versatility and capability to play on the flanks or in central midfield, would have added tactical flexibility to Chelle’s choices.
Chuba Akpom: Nigeria’s unfortunate outsider
If any participant has motive to really feel aggrieved, it’s Chuba Akpom.
The Lille ahead has been patiently ready for his Tremendous Eagles debut since switching allegiance from England in 2020. Akpom’s spectacular objective tally throughout spells in England, Greece, the Netherlands, and now France speaks volumes of his high quality.
With 10 targets in over 30 video games this season throughout Ligue 1, the Eredivisie and the Europa League, the 28-year-old has proved his price on the highest stage.
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 8, 2025
But Eric Chelle has chosen to stay with acquainted faces like Iheanacho whereas extending shock invites to lesser-known forwards like Akor Adams.
Akpom’s capacity to function throughout the entrance line might have supplied Nigeria with a tactical wildcard — one thing the Tremendous Eagles have usually lacked.
Soccernet.ng’s Verdict: A step ahead, however room for enchancment
Eric Chelle’s first squad indicators the daybreak of a contemporary chapter for Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles.
The Malian coach’s willingness to offer new faces an opportunity whereas mixing expertise is commendable.
Nonetheless, the omission of Awoniyi, Olawoyin, and Akpom suggests there may be nonetheless work to be performed in hanging the appropriate stability.
Whereas it’s inconceivable to please everybody with a squad record, Chelle’s selections increase questions on how meritocratic his choice course of actually is. The hope for a lot of Nigerian followers is that these snubs are momentary slightly than an indication of what’s to return below the brand new regime.
The Tremendous Eagles’ journey below Eric Chelle has begun — however the true measure of his reign shall be how shortly he recognises and corrects such early missteps.