Former Nigeria international Friday Ekpo has warned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against abruptly dropping the team’s ageing stars, Footynaija reports.
Ekpo insists that Nigeria must plan its generational transition carefully while pursuing qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelle has begun introducing younger players into the national team as he looks to build a squad capable of competing in the coming years. However, Ekpo believes the coach must ensure that emerging talents learn from experienced internationals before taking over their positions.
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Several established Super Eagles players are already 30 or older, including Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi, Moses Simon, Zaidu Sanusi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ola Aina.
Meanwhile, younger players such as Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Peter Edopolor, Isaac James, Igor Wilfred and Femi Azeez have earned opportunities to establish themselves under Chelle.
Ekpo believes the transition requires a clear programme rather than an immediate overhaul.
“It’s not that easy. The coach should have such kind of programme for himself, should know what to do,” Ekpo said, as per Sports247.
“He should have seen that these players, they are above 30-plus, and they are almost out of it,” he explained.
The former midfielder advised Chelle to introduce younger players gradually, allowing them to learn alongside the senior members of the squad before assuming greater responsibilities.
“You can bring in the younger ones, introduce them into the game, giving the older ones an opportunity to show them the way, how to go about it,” he stated.
“During the game, you keep changing them to see how they will fare when they finally take over from these people,” Ekpo added.
The former Super Eagles star insisted that experience remains essential, particularly as Nigeria face the demands of international football and the pressure of securing a place at AFCON 2027.
“You can’t just push them out. We need the experience, we need the exposure,” he insisted.
“The younger ones have to learn from the older ones to know what to do and how to play their game in future. It will take time, but we need to start doing it now.”
Nigeria will face Tanzania over two games in November.
