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Former Nigeria international Duke Udi has urged Eric Chelle to take a firm stance on team selection ahead of the Super Eagles’ upcoming fixtures, Footynaija reports.
Udi insists that current form and club status must outweigh reputation, even when it concerns first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nwabali enhanced his reputation during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he delivered a string of composed performances. The 29-year-old recorded three clean sheets in six matches and played a decisive role in Nigeria’s run to a bronze medal, including saving penalties against Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
No other than Stanley Nwabali. https://t.co/KBOP1myvkS pic.twitter.com/KJeekUH7vp
— IsokoBoy (@StanleyUgagbe) April 23, 2026
However, his situation has since become uncertain after he parted ways with his club Chippa United following the winter transfer window, leaving him without a team.
Chelle appeared to respond to that uncertainty by leaving Nwabali out of his most recent squad, instead inviting Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye for March’s friendly matches.
With the Unity Cup 2026 and high-profile friendlies on the horizon, Udi believes that decision should stand unless the goalkeeper’s circumstances change.
“We need to learn from the English and Senegalese national teams. With all due respect to Nigeria, how do they pick their players?” Udi told Brila. “Sometimes when you do things your own way and it’s not working, you have to look at those doing it better and learn from them.”
The former midfielder stressed that selection must be strictly merit-based.
“If you look at the Senegal national team, they pick players based on merit and who is in form. You must prove yourself to get called up,” he added.
“Every Nigerian who wants to play for the Super Eagles should be chosen on merit, not based on where he comes from or who he represents.”
🇳🇬 Maduka Okoye
— Banky G 🎤⚽ (@BankyGee_) April 20, 2026
🇳🇬 Stanley Nwabali
🇳🇬 Arthur Okonkwo
🇳🇬 Francis Uzoho @grok remove the worst goalkeeper from the photo. pic.twitter.com/LsmbPkereK
Udi was particularly clear on the issue of clubless players.
“Once you are qualified, good enough, and performing well at your club, then you are entitled to play for the national team. The national team isn’t a rehabilitation centre. Nwabali isn’t a bad goalkeeper, but for now he is clubless so how do you bring a clubless player into the national team?”
Nigeria will line up against Zimbabwe, Jamaica and India at the Unity Cup before facing Portugal and Poland in friendlies on the eve of the 2026 World Cup.
