A storm of controversy has hit the Super Eagles camp as former Nigerian international Abubakar Balarabe launched a scathing attack on head coach Eric Chelle. The criticism centers on Chelle's decision to name a massive 54-man provisional squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Balarabe's Blistering Critique: "A Waste of Taxpayers' Money"
Abubakar Balarabe, a legend of Nigerian football, did not mince words in his assessment of the extensive list. The former star, who played for clubs like Ranchers Bees, labeled the 54-man roster as excessive and financially irresponsible. He argued that inviting such a large group to camp would lead to the needless wastage of taxpayers' funds.
Balarabe insisted that Coach Chelle already knows the core players who will make the final cut. He suggested that a more manageable list of around 30 players would have been sufficient for the final selection process. "In my opinion, the number of players in the provisional list is too high," Balarabe stated. "How is the coach going to make his final selection? Chelle needs to be careful because it can lead to needless confusion."
He further elaborated, "If we consider the time factor, Chelle should have extended an invitation to 30 players, from where he can pick the best 28 players who can represent us well at the AFCON." Balarabe also urged the selected players to replicate the fighting spirit displayed in recent World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and Gabon.
The Squad Breakdown and Immense Pressure on Chelle
The provisional squad, which must be trimmed to a final 23-man list within six days to meet CAF's deadline, includes:
- Six goalkeepers
- Thirteen defenders
- Twelve midfielders
- Twenty-three forwards
Notably, four players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) made the initial cut. Coach Eric Chelle, 49, will lead the three-time AFCON champions in their quest for a fourth title. Nigeria is placed in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
The pressure on Chelle is immense, amplified by Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo. Prominent sports journalist Clement Oloruntoba emphasized that winning the AFCON is non-negotiable for the coach. "Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has no choice than to succeed because he failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup," Oloruntoba said. "Failure to win this year’s AFCON means that Chelle is not capable of handling the three-time AFCON champions."
Positive News Amidst the Criticism
Amidst the debate over the squad size, there was positive news regarding defender Ryan Alebiosu. Initial issues with securing his Nigerian passport, which were escalated by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), have now been resolved. This clearance paves the way for his potential inclusion in the final squad for the continental tournament.
As the six-day deadline to submit the final list approaches, all eyes will be on Coach Eric Chelle. He must navigate the criticism, make decisive cuts from the large provisional squad, and forge a team capable of bringing the AFCON trophy back to Nigeria and redeeming his tenure.
