As the curtain lifts on preparations for the 8th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the unveiling of Nigeria’s 23-man squad by Super Eagles B coach, Eric Chelle, has lit a firestorm of criticism, with fans and stakeholders trading barbs over perceived bias, favoritism, and regional imbalance.
The squad, which includes key names such as Junior Nduka, Sikiru Alimi, and Godwin Obaje, is set to depart for Zanzibar this week for final preparations ahead of the tournament which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to 30. But as the players pack their bags, many Nigerians are unpacking heavy accusations.
For Bin Idris, the selection process smells strongly of favouritism. “I’m concerned about the state of the Nigerian national team due to perceived tribalism in player selection. It appears that only a few players from specific regions are chosen, while talented players from other areas are overlooked. For instance, Rabi’u Ali from Kano Pillars is a top-performing midfielder with impressive goals and assists, yet he’s not selected. Is merit being overlooked in favor of other factors?”
Uzairu Sunusi Abba didn’t mince words, taking his grievance directly to the coach. “No Rabi’u Ali Pele Kano Pillars Nomber 10 best midfielder in Nigeria league all time. No victory for Super Eagles. By the grace of God you will see the consequences. Useless coach.”
Bona Ekene Akubue also weighed in, pointing out a contradiction. “I wonder how some players will be considered good for Super Eagles but not good for home-based Eagles… That’s an irony.”
The sharpest arrows seemed aimed at what some called the overrepresentation of Remo Stars players in the lineup. King Jazzi questioned, “This one wei una pack all Remo Stars players full national team, so for the whole club wei dey NPFL and national league, na only Remo Stars get players? Or because dem win league mean say na everybody for the club sabi play ball or merits national call up?”
Kilode Entertainment Central alleged a deeper motive, saying, “He pack Yoruba people full everywhere. He wants to please his masters.”
Though criticism took center stage, a few voices called for calm and faith in the team. Emmanuel Odiwonma, while expressing uncertainty about the selection criteria, wished the players success. “Good luck guys. I don’t know how the selection process was done, but I hope the players that were selected were based on merit and not based on other factors. Eric Chelle, I pray you succeed.”
But Linda Smith wasn’t as optimistic. “This team can’t go beyond the group stage,” she remarked bluntly.
The ethnic angle of the debate continued with Abdulkadir Ahamad Jr. saying, “In Super Eagles all the squad is from South and still home-based. This is not Super Eagles. It is Oduduwa and Biafra team. Am from Kano. I proud of my origin.”
Despite the uproar, the squad is proceeding with its scheduled preparations. After weeks of training at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne, Ogun State, the team will head to a second-phase camp in Zanzibar. Two friendlies against the Zanzibar national team are scheduled for July 29 and July 31.
Nigeria, which finished as silver medallists in 2018 and bronze in 2014, is drawn in Group D alongside defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo. The first two matches will be played at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, while the final group game against Congo will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Whether or not Coach Chelle’s squad can silence critics on the pitch remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the road to CHAN 2024 has already begun with thunder, not drums.
