•Eric Chelle
Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has hailed Nigeria’s home-based players, saying that they have qualities to perform at the highest level.
Many coaches who have managed the Nigerian senior national team have faced constant criticism for overlooking home-based players, reports Channels TV.
But speaking to the press following the Super Eagles 2-1 win over West African rivals Ghana in the Unity Cup in London on Wednesday, Chelle who used some home-based players in the match, disclosed his intention to give them more chances.
“Like I said, these players, they have some quality and my job is to analyse and make some choice. If I am wrong I am guilty but the reality is that I want to give some chances to these guys because I need to put in my team some guys who can add something because we need to win, it is important for me.
“Maybe I could find a guy who can score in the last minute against Rwanda or against South Africa or against Zimbabwe or against Lesotho,” Chelle said.
“So, my job is to work and try to do the best for this team, for Nigeria, for local players and for the other players. So, we will work. I am happy to be here with my players and we are focused on the next game in September.”
Following the win against Ghana, Nigeria will face Jamaica in the final of the Unity Cup tomorrow, and Chelle said they are focused on winning the game, remarking that Jamaica is a great team with great players.
Despite winning against Ghana, the Malian tactician expressed the need for more training sections to improve the team.
