Super Eagles: Eric Chelle Invites Defender Who Subdued Romelu Lukaku For World Cup Qualifiers
- Eric Chelle has invited an impressive Nigerian star who is currently one of the best defenders in Europe to join the national team
- West Brom star Semi Ajayi has been ruled out of the forthcoming matches but the coach seems to have a formidable replacement
- Nigeria face Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on March 21 and host Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in a pair of must-win games
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has made a bold call-up with around three weeks until two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier games.
Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face the Amavubi of Rwanda on March 21, 2025, before they return to Uyo four days later and host Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles have struggled in the WCQs so far, having failed to win any of their four matches and facing a tough task of advancing.
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Nigeria has only three points after three draws and a loss, while Rwanda, South Africa and Benin top the table with seven points each.
On January 5, 2025, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the appointment of Franco-Malian tactician Chelle to take charge of the team.
The manager has been tasked with ensuring Nigeria secure a World Cup ticket for next year and has already met with some key players.
Eric Chelle invites Igoh Ogbu to squad
Reports have suggested that Slavia Prague defender Igoh Ogbu has been invited to the national squad.
Score Nigeria reported that the lanky defender will come in as a replacement for the injured Semi Ajayi.
Ogbu has impressed in Europe this season, with his efforts attracting the attention of Nigeria's handlers.
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The 25-year-old has featured in 23 matches as his team aims for the league title, per Transfermarkt stats.
Ogbu previously represented Nigeria at the 2019 U20 Africa Cup of Nations and the U20 World Cup.
He had stints with Norwegian sides Rosenborg, Lavenger, Sognddall and Lillestrøm before joining Slavia Prague in January 2023.
Igoh Ogbu rated as 'no-nonsense defender'
Ogbu is one of the strongest defenders in Europe right now, having faced the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Olivier Giroud, and Omar Marmoush in the Europa League last season.
He told Tribal Football via Brila:
“Playing against Giroud, Lukaku, and Marmoush can be described as a good experience for me; a great thing. Lukaku is a very strong striker, Olivier Giroud and Marmoush as well, who everybody knows. The experience is there. I wasn’t stressed at all.”
The Nigerian defender was impressive in their 3-1 loss to AC Milan where he made things tough for French veteran Giroud.
Ogbu also stood his ground in two fiercely contested matches against Roma, effectively neutralising Lukaku’s impact within Slavia’s three-man defensive setup.
Ijeh confident of Chelle's squad
Meanwhile, former Nigerian international Peter Ijeh disclosed that inviting 39 players is a good step taken by the new manager. The former Vikings striker said:
"It is ok and a welcome gesture inviting 39 players and more as the first step and as an opportunity addressing the entire & unifying the team..
A psychologist is putting all the cards on the table. Addressing important issues as the games at hand, at the same time, establishing and navigating the ideology behind the mission."
Chelle to take stance on Ahmed Musa
Legit.ng earlier reported that it remains uncertain if Ahmed Musa will return to the Super Eagles set-up.
The Nigerian captain inspired a comeback victory for Kano Pillars 2-1 against Enugu Rangers on Sunday.
Reports have suggested that Eric Chelle is considering the former Leicester City star to make a comeback.
