Former Nigerian international Sam Sodje has questioned Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle’s decision to invite 54 players for camping ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sodje made this known after Chelle unveiled his provisional squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
The three-time AFCON champions will face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C, as they look to mount a strong challenge in Morocco.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Group Opponent Unveil Provisional Squad
Nigeria are due to open their training camp in Egypt on December 10, where they are expected to play warm-up matches before the competition begins on 21 December 21.
Speaking with Brila FM, Sodje faulted Chelle’s decision to invite 54 players when the time frame for training is short.
“I don’t really understand the reason for the list, it’s confusing you call some regular players and new ones but I don’t understand the reason for the 54 man list.
“Why are you doing that? We have to be positive to see how we can go.”
6 Comments
It doesn’t really make sense, knowing fully well the players that he will invite. Moreso knowing that he doesn’t have the luxury of a time to play test friendly matches. You could see what South African coach did by inviting the players that he needed.
I agree. We know the final list. Chelle knows it. The players that will be picked and those that will be dropped know themselves, except the fringe players, who know it’s 50/50. So why call 55? Why not 30 and then prune down to 25 by 15th December? Many teams have already announced their final squad, while we’re still on a bloated audio list of 55.
As e dey sweet Ndidi, na so e dey pain them (me inclusive) wey dey doubt e football age of 28, now, the new captain of Eagles since Ekong is out.
Ekong is 32.
Following the “stupid logic”, Ndidi has 4 more years in eagles.
To play what exactly?
Keep on benching Onyedika and new entrants into the team or to play sideways?
Our midfield has been gone since sha. Another 4 years of “more gone” is not too bad.
Chelle, I hope you really gonna be stubborn as oliseh suggested oh.
If not, your job is at stake.
Senior men in the team have stunted the expansion of eagles over the years and consecutive world cup misses have been the result.
Make una dey mad dey go.
@Sly Leave Ndidi Alone he is still SE best Midfielder, The Problem is you people watch ball rom the back of your TV,s the Guy played the Midfield Role Basically alone against Gabon for 120mins, and the Midfield looked alot stronger than we did the Whole of AFCON 2024 when we had 5 midfielders in there Except for Ndidi. You Nigerians Always want things that will back fire then you will still blame the coach. Ndidi made a mistake against Congo granted however if he was not there we would have lost that same game 3-0. LEave Ndidi ALone OGA!!!!!!
What Onyedika needs to do to bench Ndidi.Leave club Brugge and sign for one of the top teams in Europe,easy because he’s a wanted man.
Playing in Belgium is not doing his chances with the super eagles any justice..
The way we do this things in this part of the world is alarming, we just had a close camp for the WC play off, we know who is gonna make it to the AFCON, why 54 players at this point ? just needless and waste of space.