Nigerian coach meets Arsenal star Nwaneri in London

Still reeling from the tepid display by some of his players in the recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, has started rebuilding his team for better performance when the qualifiers resume in September.

The move to re-organise the Super Eagles will start this week with Chelle expected in London to, among other things hold talks with Arsenal star, Ethan Nwaneri.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who has been making waves under Mikel Arteta, remains eligible to play for both Nigeria and England. Despite representing England at youth levels, Nwaneri has not yet committed to the senior team, which leaves the door open for a potential switch to the Super Eagles or the Flying Eagles.

A source close to the Super Eagles told The Guardian, at the weekend, that Coach Chelle will hit London this week to hold talks with Nwaneri.  “Chelle will meet with Nwaneri in London this week,” the source said. “I am optimistic that he (Nwaneri) will see the reason that he has more prospects of playing for the Super Eagles than the Three Lions,” he said.

The source further stated that last week’s World Cup qualifier, in which the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with the visiting Warriors of Zimbabwe, has revealed a lot of weaknesses in the team.

“The Super Eagles’ central defence needs urgent revival,” he said. “Even the midfield requires a major surgical operation as quickly as possible. Football belongs to the youths. As it is, the coach has to start a systematic process of replacing the old players.

“Again, the media has to allow the coach to do his job the same way they allowed Clemence Westerhof to reshape the Super Eagles in the 1990s. This idea of Nigerian journalists, particularly the social media, picking players for the coach, even before a crucial match, should stop. It is not helping us,” he stated.