Super Eagles: Could NPFL graduate Nwaiwu's Turkey move fast-track him into Eric Chelle’s setup?

Former Enyimba player Chibuike Nwaiwu's transfer to Trabzonspor isn't just another move to Turkey, it could be the career-defining moment that propels him into legitimate Super Eagles conversation.

The 22-year-old defender has taken a path familiar to many Nigerian players: from the rough-and-tumble NPFL pitches with Enyimba to Austria's Bundesliga, and now to Turkey's demanding top flight. 

But this move feels different. Turkey has become something of a golden ticket for Nigerian footballers chasing international recognition, and Nwaiwu knows it.

2023 African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen's loan move and eventual permanent transfer to Galatasaray kept him in the spotlight. 

Paul Onuachu found his groove at Trabzonspor after struggles elsewhere - cue the Premier League with Southampton. 

The Turkish Super Lig offers the perfect blend: competitive football, massive exposure, and scouts from bigger European leagues watching closely. 

For Nwaiwu, now playing under the same bright lights, every performance becomes an audition for ambitious Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

Nwaiwu isn't just tall, at 1.93m, he's a commanding presence who uses his frame intelligently. 

His stats from Wolfsberger AC this season paint the picture of a defender, or should I say a versatile player, growing into his potential.

90.6% pass accuracy shows composure on the ball, while 81 recoveries and 38 interceptions demonstrate his reading of the game. 

He started all 12 league matches this season, with a goal to his name, and contributed five goals across competitions last campaign, impressive for a centre back.

Yes, the discipline record needs work (five yellows, two reds this season), but that's often the mark of a young defender still calibrating his aggression at higher levels.

Timing matters in football, and Nwaiwu's couldn't be better. With Troost-Ekong's retirement in December 2025, Nigeria needs a new defensive anchor. 

Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi are the current first-choice pairing as Nigeria targets AFCON 2025 glory in Morocco. But depth is crucial.

Nwaiwu will be competing with Igoh Ogbu (who just made his AFCON debut), Chidozie Awaziem's experience, and Benjamin Fredrick's promise. 

But here's his advantage: he's playing for a massive club with continental ambitions, in a league that Nigerian coaches trust, alongside Nigerian teammates who can vouch for him.

If Nwaiwu can stay disciplined, dominate aerially, and help Trabzonspor challenge for silverware, Eric Chelle will have no choice but to notice. 

The pathway from Turkey to the green-and-white jersey has been paved, now it's up to Nwaiwu to walk it.