Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has explained why he chose two local players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in his final 23-man team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Chelle recently named Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole and Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel to his final 23-man team to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The Malian, who took over the team in January, watched a few domestic league games before inviting Bankole and Daniel to the World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference ahead of Nigeria’s tie with Zimbabwe, Chelle said his decision to call the duo was because the players will likely add to the team in the future.
”My job is to see all the Nigerian players in the world to analyze the player because this is the world cup qualifiers, after that there is the CHAN and also the AFCON afterwards. So we need to work together,” Chelle said.
”I think there are a lot of players who can work together and bring something to our national team. But they need to work and they need to know how I want my team to play.
“So this is why I pick two players [Daniel and Bankole from the NPFL] and I think they are good and they are very good for the future.
“But we need to work now with them. We prepare the future for now and like I said in my first press conference the time is the enemy of the coach.”
