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Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle has submitted a massive 55-man provisional squad to the Nigeria Football Federation for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Footynaija.com reports.
It’s the clearest sign yet that the coach is embarking on a full-scale push to end Nigeria’s 12-year wait for continental glory.
Still stung by Nigeria’s failure to reach the World Cup Intercontinental playoff, Eric Chelle has wasted no time shifting the spotlight to AFCON.
The Eagles’ camp is expected to open on December 8 in Morocco, but not before the coach swings the axe on more than half the longlist. The final squad will be slimmed down to 24–27 players, depending on NFF approval and new CAF regulations.
Sources say Chelle has stuck with his trusted core but also thrown in several surprise names, relatively unknown players who have quietly impressed on his scouting radar. They may not be famous yet, but insiders believe a few could sneak into the final squad if they shine in camp.
CAF’s revamped squad rule, according to reports, allows teams to take up to 27 players, but here’s the catch: the federation only pays for 23. Any extra players must be funded entirely by the NFF. It means Chelle must balance talent with cost as he shapes a squad capable of surviving a gruelling tournament.
Nigeria, champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, came agonisingly close in the last edition, losing the final to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
