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New Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is looking to bolster Nigeria’s squad with fresh talent, as the team prepares for a crucial year of international football, Footynaija.com reports.
With six decisive 2026 World Cup qualifiers ahead and a quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in December, Chelle is eager to reinforce the squad.
Despite boasting top talents like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles have struggled for dominance on the pitch. In response, Chelle, appointed in January, is working to convince eligible dual-nationality players to commit to Nigeria.
According to Chronicle Live, the three players on Chelle’s radar are Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy, AS Monaco’s teenage forward George Ilenikhena, and Strasbourg’s in-form striker Emanuel Emegha.
Nigeria coach Eric Sékou Chelle has spoken to Jacob Murphy to gauge his interest in switching his international allegiances to Nigeria, according to OwnGoalNigeria
— Magpie 24/7 (@Magpie24_7) February 12, 2025
Murphy, who has represented England at various levels, is of Irish descent through his mother and Nigerian… pic.twitter.com/mzkv5YwIrZ
Murphy, 29, has been a standout performer under Eddie Howe at Newcastle. The winger last played for England’s U21s in the 2017 European Championship but remains eligible for Nigeria through his father. With no senior caps for England, he could switch allegiance in time for Nigeria’s March qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Ilenikhena, 18, was born in Lagos before moving to France and has impressed at Monaco with three goals and two assists in Ligue 1 this season. Despite being on France’s radar, he has yet to feature in official games for Les Bleus at any level.
George Ilenikhena is one of the best killer striker prospects in Europe right now
— Ben Mattinson (@Ben_Mattinson_) March 29, 2024
Instinctive finisher, uses his body well in duels, so mobile running the channels♂️
Nigeria have produced another top #9 but will he represent them or France?
[THREAD] pic.twitter.com/AWlOepyDIe
Emegha, 22, is a youth international for the Netherlands but qualifies for Nigeria through his mother. Born in the Netherlands to a Togolese father and Nigerian mother, the Strasbourg forward has been in excellent form in Ligue 1.
Nigeria have a strong history of securing dual-nationals, with players like Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun, Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, and Ademola Lookman all opting for the Super Eagles. Chelle will hope to add Murphy, Ilenikhena, and Emegha to that list as Nigeria build towards a pivotal year.
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