The pinnacle coach of the Tremendous Eagles, Eric Chelle, has till December 10 to submit his last squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Curiously, Chelle solely submitted his 50-man provisional squad this week.
By the point he unveiled that checklist, most international locations had already filed their last squads to the Confederation of African Soccer, CAF.
On Thursday, the captain of the Nigerian nationwide group, William Troost-Ekong, introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer.
Troost-Ekong was included in Chelle’s provisional squad.
“I feel the timing may be very peculiar, however generally I’m not in opposition to it,” Solace Chukwu, writer of the upcoming e-book ‘Elusive: How Enyimba Ended Nigeria’s 39-year Watch for Champions League Glory’, tells DAILY POST.
“Ekong has been on the slide since his heroics on the final AFCON, and as issues stand he’s Nigeria’s fourth-choice centre-back.
“In that state of affairs, it isn’t a large shock that he would elect to step away.”
Troost-Ekong’s retirement has raised completely different questions amongst pundits and followers.
Was he anxious about his place within the group? Did it have something to do with the protest he led earlier than the 2026 World Cup playoff conflict with Gabon?
“That’s actually part of it,” Chukwu agrees.
“It’s in our nature to reply to a protest by figuring out ringleaders and/or scapegoats, and the newest sit-in has apparently made Ekong deeply unpopular throughout the halls of the NFF.
“That’s a tricky spot to be in, particularly as captain of the facet, and had the potential to trigger a distraction on the event correct.”
Chelle now has two of his trusted centre-backs unavailable for the AFCON. Benjamin Fredericks, who has been a revelation in latest matches, has been dominated out with harm.
“That shall be a large headache for Eric Chelle,” Chukwu stated.
“It’s compounded by the truth that Ola Aina is but to return to full coaching, and so is more likely to additionally miss out.
“Raises many questions on the appropriate facet. At centre-back, it’s wanting like Semi Ajayi will associate Calvin Bassey, and Zaidu Sanusi has the baton at left-back.
“Proper-back, although, is up for grabs. Vibrant Osayi-Samuel is likeliest, however be careful for newcomer Ryan Alebiosu, who may be very extremely rated.”
These absences may also open up spots for some new names to play on the event.
“I feel all of the names one may count on will make it in.
“When it comes to new faces, other than Alebiosu, the likes of Rafiu Durosinmi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tom Dele-Bashiru have first rate photographs at making the ultimate squad,” Chukwu added.
