WCQ 2026 playoffs: Chelle mulls over Super Eagles’ squad list for Gabon clash

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, is mulling over the list of players he will invite for the 2026 World Cup continental playoffs.

Nigeria is set to face Gabon in Rabat, Morocco in exactly one week time. But Chelle is yet to release an official call-up list ahead of the crucial game.

Although there has been criticism of his team selection and tactics, the Malian appears to have found the right balance in recent matches.

Under his guidance, the Eagles have recorded four wins and two draws from six competitive matches, collecting 14 points from a possible 18 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Recently, Chelle revealed he was not considering inviting new players to the squad, as he believes he has the best in the likes of Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman.

But he also explained how he tracks Nigerian players abroad and his criteria for calling them up.

“We’ve built a player-tracking system: we monitor around 80 players every week — roughly 80 matches to watch,” Chelle said.

“Selection comes down to several criteria: first, are you playing for your club; second, are you performing; third, do you fit our tactical framework. Sometimes the tactical criterion wins.”