Ex-Super Eagles star questions Chelle’s squad, calls for NPFL players

Former Nigerian international Peter Ijeh has urged Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to give more opportunities to players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and fringe internationals.

His comments come in the wake of Nigeria’s friendly matches in Turkey, where the Super Eagles recorded a 2-1 victory over Iran before settling for a 2-2 draw against Jordan.

The squad selection for both matches sparked debate, with no home-based players included in the team.

Speaking in an interview, Ijeh emphasised that friendly matches provide a platform for testing new players and expanding the talent pool.

“It would have been more interesting to see more NPFL players capped, providing them with much-needed international experience and exposure rather than relying solely on the regular squad members,” Ijeh said via Footy Africa.

The former striker, now a UEFA-licensed coach based in Sweden, advocated for a more balanced squad structure.

He added, “There are several fringe players who haven’t seen much action lately; they should have been handed an opportunity to prove their worth.

“In my view, the squad should have featured a 40–50% mix of NPFL talents and fringe internationals.”