Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, has come out with an elaborate explanation of the factors that made him invite Kano Pillars FC attacker Ahmed Musa and nine other players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) for the upcoming national team matches.
Sports247 reports that, though Musa was not invited for the Eagles’ last two matches, Chelle opted to include the former CSKA Moscow of Russia, Leicester City of England, Al-Nassar of Saudi Arabia and Karagumruk of Turkey veteran in his squad list for this Wednesday’s match against Ghana’s Black Stars.
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The midweek clash with Ghana will be the second semi-final at this year’s Unity Cup in London, England, but Chelle reasoned that it provides him with an opportunity to test some home-based players that he recently watched in the NPFL and gave top marks about their quality.
The Franco-Malian gaffer expatiated, “We have a lot of players in Nigeria. So, we have to give the chance to other players to show their quality. We are focused, and we have a game project to follow.
“We want to build a strong group and create an identity. We have a plan for CAN and a long-term project. So, we want to bring into this team some players who can learn quickly in this project.”
While stopping short of making any comment on a reported poor surface of the pitch at Brentford’s GTech Stadium, where Wednesday’s game will be played, Chelle reiterated that he sees the four-nation invitational competition as an opportunity to try out some new players for his long-term plans with the Super Eagles.
The former head coach of Mali’s national team and MC Oran of Algeria added, “The Unity Cup gives us a great moment to check new players and try some systems so that we can be ready for the future, especially with good players from the Nigerian league.
“I watched two matches in the national league, and I spent my time analysing these players. This is my job, and I think they have some quality that can bring a change to the national team.”
Chelle then gave an analytical breakdown of the quality that home-based players can bring to the Eagles, plus the return of Ahmed Musa, who many observers still refer to as the team’s captain, in spite of his long absence.
The gaffer declared, “They have a lot of intensity and aggressive ability. They are hungry to play for this jersey. So, they deserve to have a chance. That’s why I picked ten players from the national league. They are good players.
“I also think Ahmed is a good player, and every Nigerian knows that. He can bring his experience and his quality. He knows the game because he has played many big matches. So, he can bring something to the team. Like the other players, let’s give him a chance.”
The Eagles’ gaffer concluded by revealing the areas of strength where his squad could have an edge against Ghana on Wednesday and, should they scale the hurdle, go on to face the winner of Jamaica versus Trinidad and Tobago in the final on Saturday, as he analysed: “We are strong in midfield and we are even stronger in the attack.”
