Eric Chelle’s return from the 2024 African Nations Championship will feel more like a pit stop than a homecoming.
Nigeria’s campaign ended with a whimper in Tanzania: one win, two defeats, and a quick exit. Now, the Super Eagles boss must shift focus to something far weightier: the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The assignment could not be clearer. Nigeria host Rwanda in Uyo on September 3, before flying to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa just three days later. Both fixtures are ‘must-win’ in every sense. Failure to collect maximum points would virtually hand Group C’s World Cup ticket to Bafana Bafana.
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At the moment, the Eagles sit fourth on seven points, trailing leaders South Africa by six and a point behind both Rwanda and Benin. Margin for error? None.
Chelle’s preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation demands width, flair, and goals from the flanks.
Having examined his striking options, attention now turns to the wingers who must stretch defences, create chances, and, when needed, score themselves.
Samuel Chukwueze: Chelle’s golden boy
Samuel Chukwueze might not be the most celebrated winger in Europe, but in Chelle’s system, he looks almost indispensable.
The AC Milan man has endured a summer of transfer gossip without a single concrete offer materialising, but that hasn’t dented his form or focus. Fit, involved, and sharper than last season, Chukwueze starred in Milan’s pre-season and remains one of Nigeria’s most reliable wide men.
RW: Samuel Chukwueze, 26yo
AC Milan explosive winger has been impressive under the new coach Eric Chelle.
Sub: Umeh Emmanuel, 20yo pic.twitter.com/iandIQKM7R
— Nigeria Scout (@9jaPlayersNews) August 16, 2025
Under Chelle, he has already chipped in with key contributions: an assist against Rwanda and a goal versus Jamaica at the Unity Cup. The manager trusts him, and he thrives in the 4-4-2 diamond. Unless disaster strikes, Chukwueze is a guaranteed starter.
Moses Simon: The veteran voice
Few players embody consistency like Moses Simon. After years at Nantes, the winger swapped the familiar yellow of Ligue 1 for newly promoted Paris FC this summer.
The move has made him the undisputed star of his new side, and early signs suggest he will enjoy that status. Simon’s trickery, versatility, and leadership make him a valuable asset.
Merci pour l’accueil lors de #FCNantes vs #ParisFC ⚪️.
Honoré par l’hommage, heureux de rejouer devant les supporters nantais et de retrouver d’anciens coéquipiers
Gratitude #Football #Respect pic.twitter.com/YnywPVaLXy— MSimon27 (M.O.N) (@Simon27Moses) August 10, 2025
For Chelle, he brings more than skill; he brings authority in the dressing room. Expect his name to feature on the squad list without hesitation.
Ademola Lookman: The x-factor wrapped in uncertainty
If Eric Chelle’s biggest headache has a name, it’s Ademola Lookman. The Atalanta forward is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, but his summer has been turbulent.
A transfer saga with Inter Milan ended in acrimony, a strike, and eventual isolation from Atalanta’s first team. With the club threatening fines and withholding wages, Lookman’s last taste of competitive football feels like a lifetime ago.
Ademola Lookman is back in Bergamo.
With the Inter option now off, Atalanta are open to reintegrating him, while also considering internal sanctions.
Foreign bids would still be welcomed, but unless they meet the price tag, he’ll be at Juric’s disposal, as @APaglia7 said. pic.twitter.com/ND58OKJxB8
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) August 19, 2025
Chelle faces a dilemma: trust a rusty but game-changing talent or leave out the very player who lit up the Europa League and AFCON last year.
Dropping Lookman would be bold and risky. Including him might be equally so. The answer may depend on how desperate Chelle feels when he drafts his list.
Nathan Tella: The rising stock
Still relatively fresh in the Super Eagles set-up, Nathan Tella did himself plenty of favours at the Unity Cup, where his directness and energy impressed.
@NathanTella_11 pic.twitter.com/v7eqsJuqnp
— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) February 6, 2025
Now settled at Bayer Leverkusen, he appears firmly in Erik ten Hag’s plans, unlike his compatriot Victor Boniface. That means minutes, fitness, and confidence heading into September. Tella’s versatility makes him a useful card to play, whether from the start or off the bench.
The outsiders: Olayinka, Ejuke, Otele, and Usor
Should Chelle gamble outside his regulars, there are tempting alternatives.
Peter Olayinka, back fit and firing at Red Star Belgrade, offers height and a striker’s eye for goal. Chidera Ejuke, now at Sevilla, has the dribbling to trouble any defence.
Philip Otele has opened his Swiss Super League campaign in electric form, while Moses Usor has been a livewire for LASK. All are interesting, but in a do-or-die double-header, Chelle is more likely to lean on experience than experiment.
2️⃣ Here is your Best Player of Matchweek 2. With his brace, Philip Otele led FCBasel1893 to victory. pic.twitter.com/AQpNv4QKSS
— Swiss Football League (@News_SFL) August 5, 2025
The verdict
The flanks could make or break Nigeria’s September mission. Chukwueze and Simon are nailed-on. Lookman, despite his messy summer, is too talented to ignore. That leaves Tella, whose growth and consistency could earn him the fourth spot. Together, they bring a mix of youth, experience, creativity, and unpredictability, the precise blend needed to topple Rwanda and South Africa.
Chelle’s challenge is simple: pick the wingers who can rise to the occasion. Nigeria’s World Cup hopes depend on it.
