Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has addressed recent speculation surrounding interference in the Super Eagles’ squad selection process.
Cyber Reporters reports that head coach Eric Chelle recently finalized his 23-man squad for the upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Notable absentees from the squad include experienced players Ahmed Musa, Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Zaidu Sanusi, sparking questions among fans and analysts.
Eguavoen emphasized the importance of coaching autonomy, stating that Chelle has sole responsibility for selecting the players who will represent Nigeria.
“I want to clarify that the head coach has the final authority on player selection,” Eguavoen said in an interview.
“While discussions and interactions are welcome, the ultimate decision rests with the coach. If he chooses to select or omit a player, that’s his prerogative,” he added.
Eguavoen underscored that this autonomy is fundamental to the role of a head coach and is why they can be held accountable for their decisions.
The Super Eagles will commence training camp on Sunday in preparation for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.
The team faces Rwanda at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on March 21, followed by a home match against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on March 25.
The outcomes of these matches are crucial for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign, and fans eagerly await the performances of this new-look squad.
