Abubakar Balarabe has criticised Eric Chelle’s provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, saying the 55-man list is unnecessary and capable of causing confusion ahead of AFCON 2025, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria head to Morocco later this month, with Chelle naming a provisional squad featuring key players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, and captain William Troost-Ekong, who has just announced his international retirement.
The Super Eagles head coach also added home-based talents and younger prospects, including teenagers like Ebenezer Harcourt. The long list also surprised many because a few expected names were missing while several uncapped or emerging players made the cut.
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The competition for places is now tight as Chelle prepares to trim the group to his final team for Morocco.
Balarabe, a former Nigeria international and Ranchers Bees legend, questioned the decision in strong terms when speaking to Daily Trust. He believes the coach has taken an avoidable step that could stretch resources and complicate preparations.
“The number of players the coach has invited is too high. How is he going to make his final selection? It will lead to needless confusion, if he is not careful,” he said.
“Considering time factor, he should have invited like 30 players from where he would have picked the best 28 players to represent us.”
He also raised concerns about cost and efficiency as the Super Eagles get ready for the continental showpiece.
“I am sure the coach already knows the players he wants to take to Morocco, so why waste money on flying about players who are not going to make the team in the end?
“I am not in support of any wasteful spending of tax-payers money. The 55-man list is not only unnecessary, it is also a call to confusion,” Balarabe said.
