We Didn’t Interfere In Chelle’s Final Super Eagles World Cup List– NFF

Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen has rejected suggestions that the federation interfered in the team list released by Eric Chelle ahead of the World Cup qualifiers matches against Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.

The Nigeria Football Federation announced a 39-man squad provisional list last week, but on Tuesday the list was cut down to 23 with key omissions like Cyril Dessers, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Ahmed Musa missing out.

Nigerians have taken to the social media to blast Eric Chelle for dropping Cyril Dessers, who has been on a good run of form for Rangers this season.

They opined that the Nigeria Football Federation interfered with the team list, but Augustine Eguavoen has quashed the suggestions.

He said: “I want Nigerians to get clarity on something, I’ve been technical director for a few years and I have attended FIFA workshops where I ask questions a lot and they made it clear to me that a senior national team coach anywhere in the world has a final say on who he wants on his list.

“We can interact, we cannot interfere. If he says no, it’s no. That is why they can fire a senior national team coach at any time. So I will say Eric Chelle took his time to prepare this list and he has the final say.”

Similarly, another member of the Technical Committee, Victor Ikpeba corroborated Eguavoen’s submission.

He said: “This young man (Chelle) has a pool of about 45 to 50 Nigerian layers abroad. So, it’s his discretion and he has been monitoring these players in the provisional list. He knows his 23, 24 or 25 players, it’s his choice to make. So, there was no interference.”

The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before a home clash with Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.

The team must win the two matches to revive their poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which has seen the team earn just three points from four matches.

Rwanda currently top the group with seven points, same with second-placed South Africa and third-placed Benin Republic.

Lesotho are in fourth with five points, while Nigeria languishes in the fifth position with three points.

Newly-appointed Eric Chelle will be hoping to get his Super Eagles reign to a positive start with a victory against Rwanda on March 21 in his first match.

The good news for the French-born coach is that most of the Super Eagles attackers are firing on all cylinders for their clubs.

Victor Osimhen has scored 28 goals in 29 starts for Galatarsaray this season, Ademola Lookman has scored 18 goals for Atalanta, both players were on target for their clubs last weekend.

The Super Eagles will open camp for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchday five encounter against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Sunday.

The invited players are expected to fly to Kigali from their respective bases.

We Didn’t Interfere In Chelle’s Final Super Eagles World Cup List– NFF is first published on The Whistler Newspaper