Head coach of Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has firmly defended his selection for the 2025 African Nations Championship which features a strong presence of players from NPFL champions, Remo Stars.
The final 23-man squad for the tournament includes seven players from Remo Stars, decision that has sparked debate among fans and pundits.
However, Chelle insists the selections are purely football-driven and rooted in tactical alignment with his coaching philosophy.
“When people raise questions, I ask them, who won the league last season?” Chelle said in a media chat with the team’s communications unit. “If you look at teams like Morocco, most of their players come from Raja or Wydad. Angola fields several players from their best local club. South Africa has eight players from a single team too. It’s not strange.”
Dismissing speculation that his assistant coach’s link to Remo Stars may have influenced selections, Chelle emphasized the importance of identity and tactical fit.
“I want a team that keeps the ball, presses when they lose it, and plays with confidence. So I chose players who can execute that,” he said. “There are many talented players in the league, but I have to build a team that can bring my ideas to life.”
He added, “I’m not just selecting names; I’m building a system. These players didn’t make the squad by luck — they made it because they’re currently the best for the kind of football we want to play.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles B side concluded their double-header test games against Zanzibar with a 2-2 draw on Thursday, following a goalless result in the first encounter.
Nigeria’s CHAN journey kicks off on August 5 against title holders Senegal. They’ll go on to face Sudan on August 12 and wrap up their Group B campaign against Congo on August 19.
