The Nigerian national team head coach Eric Chelle has made two changes for the World Cup qualifier games against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been forced to make two changes to his 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier games against Lesotho and the Benin Republic due to injury.
The French Malian has now invited Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche to replace Cyriel Dessers and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who suffered injuries for their respective club sides over the weekend.
New 23-man squad
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Defenders: Felix Agu, Bruno Onyeamachi, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredrick, Semi Ajayi
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Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Christantus Uche
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Forwards: Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Olakunle Olasegun, Terem Moffi, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams.
Chelle addresses criticism
There were two main criticisms of Eric Chelle’s initial 23: the paltry sum of midfielders invited (4) and the omission of Paul Onuachu, despite inviting five strikers.
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Chelle addressed one of those issues with his change, opting against inviting Onuachu, which would have been a like-for-like change, and adding an extra body in midfield—Christantus Uche.
It was initially unclear why Chelle failed to call on the all-action midfielder. He has barely settled at his new club, Crystal Palace, but Samuel Chukwueze shares a similar story and was invited.
Chelle passing on Onuachu when presented a second chance will certainly sting for the Trabzonspor man, who has been the most prolific of the Super Eagles’ striker options this season. He has scored six goals this campaign and was recently named Super Lig Player of the Month for August.
