Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle is under fire for leaving out striker Kelechi Iheanacho from Nigeria's squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania. Former players Sylvanus Okpala and Abiodun Obafemi are among those questioning this choice, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Many are surprised by this decision because Iheanacho has been in great form at Bursaspor, a team in Turkey's second division. He has scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 14 league matches, making it 20 goal contributions in total. His latest goal came during a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor on November 6.
Nigerian fans have taken notice of his performance. They expected the former Leicester City and Manchester City player to be included in the squad, especially since first-choice striker Victor Osimhen is out due to injury.
Despite this, Coach Chelle selected six forwards, including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Moses Usor, leaving out Iheanacho and other notable players.
While Osimhen's injury is out of the coach's hands, Iheanacho's exclusion has sparked debate about how players are chosen for the team. Okpala, a former Super Eagles midfielder, believes the coach has the final say but thinks Iheanacho's recent performances should have earned him a spot.
Okpala was part of Nigeria's 1980 AFCON-winning squad and later worked as an assistant coach when Nigeria won again in 2013. He expressed his thoughts to PUNCH Sports Extra, saying, "The coach is always the one who decides and he must have his reasons surrounding how he wants the team to play and operate under his tactics that made Iheanacho miss out. I wonder why as well. It is the coach that we will have to ask."
He added, "His performance in Europe should have earned him a spot in the final list, but it is left to him to continue banging in his goals and maybe he’ll get a call-up next time."
Obafemi was more direct in his comments. He argued that a player's scoring ability should matter more than the league they play in. Obafemi, who was part of Nigeria’s gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympics, stated that Iheanacho's experience and current form make him a strong candidate for the national team.
He said, "He’s a player we know very well who has been part of the national team for a while. It doesn’t matter if he’s in the second division or anywhere he is. His scoring form should always be the yardstick and we are all seeing what he is doing so far this season, so I think he should be there, even as Osimhen is absent with injury."
Football fans in Nigeria have also voiced their disappointment on social media. Some are asking why Iheanacho's great club performances have not led to a call-up for the national team.
One fan, Cena’man (@ESSIENCENA), tweeted, "Iheanacho deserves a call-up. He is currently on form and knows African football well." Another fan, Uche (@WIZEINTHEBEAT), encouraged Iheanacho, recalling his contributions during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying matches.
“Dear Senior Man Iheanacho, keep your head up. You’re goated. Nothing do you. I remember the World Cup qualifiers Iheanacho was part of; we qualified with ease. He scored in the very first game against Zambia. He is a serial winner!” he wrote.
Hakeem Musa (@HakeemMusa99769) also criticized the coach's decision, saying that Iheanacho’s experience should be valued. He stated, "He has no reason to drop him. Iheanacho is very intelligent and experienced. You need players with experience and ball sense to win matches for you. Individual brilliance is a big plus to any team and he got it. Chelle is not a smart coach."
Oluwapelumi (@GoShele) added, "Iheanacho keep on banging goals, and this coach keeps ignoring him." This situation raises questions about whether Coach Chelle is focusing more on tactics or other factors beyond players' current performance.
Nigeria is set to face Tanzania in two important matches, starting with a home game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, followed by an away match in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17.
The Super Eagles are currently second in Group L with three points from two matches, having beaten Madagascar 2-1 but losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau. With Tanzania already qualified for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, Nigeria needs to win both matches to boost their chances of qualification.
For Iheanacho, the focus will be on continuing his scoring streak at Bursaspor to give the coach a reason to reconsider him for future national team selections.
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