Chelle: Finding Nigeria’s Best Players Is My Job

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle says scouting Nigerian players around the world is an important part of his job, revealing that the country has about 800 players based across the globe.

Chelle has continued to expand his player pool since taking charge of the Super Eagles, with Al-Ittihad striker George Ilenikhena and LASK forward Moses Usor both making their international debuts in Nigeria’s 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar in Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.

Both newcomers made an immediate impact, getting on the scoresheet to help the Super Eagles secure three points.

The third debutant, Isaac James, was an unused substitute as Chelle opted for the more experienced Bruno Onyemaechi at left-back.

The Malian coach, who is also now in charge of Nigeria’s Olympic national team, said discovering new talent is part of his responsibility.

Asked what motivates him to scout players such as Benjamin Fredrick, Olakunle Olusegun and Abdullahi Bewene, who are based in England, Russia and the Czech Republic respectively, Chelle said the task is included in his contract.

‘This is a part of my job, this is in my contract so I have to do it,’ Chelle said at his post-match press conference.

‘When I speak with my players I tell them every time the love I have for this national team.

‘There’s a lot of good generation in the country and I have to continue, even if I stay one year, two years, three years. I cannot leave and do nothing.’

Chelle acknowledged that the sheer number of Nigerian players playing abroad makes the scouting exercise difficult.

‘I try to do my job, I try to scout all the players that this country has,’ he said.

‘It is very difficult because we have maybe 800 players in the world, so sometimes it is difficult for me to find a good player.

‘And now I have the U23 team so I have to find some good players for that national team, so I just do my job.’

Since taking over, Chelle has handed international debuts to several players, including Ryan Alebiosu, Tochukwu Nnadi, Philip Otele, Emmanuel Fernandez, Femi Azeez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare and Felix Agu.

With Nigeria facing Guinea-Bissau in their next AFCON 2027 qualifier on Tuesday, Chelle will continue to assess his expanding pool of players as he seeks to build depth across the national teams.