Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has hinted that some of Nigeria’s impressive new boys could earn another chance with the senior team after their performances against Russia, Footynaija.com reports.
Chelle handed nine players their Super Eagles debuts in Tuesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Russia, with the experimental squad giving the Franco-Malian plenty to think about ahead of the next international window.
The friendly was partly an opportunity for the coach to assess players who could also form part of Nigeria’s plans for the 2028 Olympic Games.
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Several of the youngsters took their chance, with Peter Edokpolor producing the biggest moment after coming off the bench to score Nigeria’s second goal on his senior debut.
Abdullahi Umar also made an impact by providing the assist for Akor Adams’ dramatic stoppage-time equaliser, while the likes of Wilfred Igor, Stephen Michael and Umar Abubakar impressed during a demanding contest against the Russians.
Chelle was happy with what he saw and suggested that some of the players could now be considered for the senior team when Nigeria return to competitive action in November.
“We had two objectives, the 2027 AFCON and the Olympic games and like I said in yesterday’s press conference we had problems bringing some players because their clubs didn’t allow them,” Chelle said.
“So we came with some of the players who we plan to use for the U-23, and with what they showed us maybe some of them will be in the Super Eagles in the next FIFA window.”
The comments suggest the Russia friendly could have opened the door for some of the new faces to remain involved with the senior side. Nigeria will return to AFCON 2027 qualifying action in November when they face Tanzania in a potentially defining double-header.
