Nigeria legend Eguavoen reacts to Eric Chelle's decision to include Iheanacho in provisional squad

Former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has weighed in on Eric Chelle’s decision to include Kelechi Iheanacho in the 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.

Eguavoen, a respected figure in Nigerian football, believes that Iheanacho’s name deserves to be on a squad list of that size. 

He emphasized that the Sevilla forward, currently on loan at Middlesbrough, has enough quality to be considered for such an extensive selection.

“It’s not fair on Kelechi Iheanacho if Eric Chelle makes a 39-man list and he isn’t involved. If it’s a 23 or 25-man list, that’s fine,” Eguavoen said via MNF, as quoted by Brila Media.

Iheanacho, who moved to Middlesbrough on loan in January, has been working to regain his form after struggling for regular playing time at Sevilla. 

His experience and attacking ability have long been assets for Nigeria, making him a key figure in discussions surrounding national team selections.

Eguavoen’s remarks highlight the importance of a player like Iheanacho being included in a wider squad selection, as it allows the coaching staff to assess his current condition and potential contribution. 

With a 39-man squad offering room for multiple options, the former Nigeria coach believes leaving Iheanacho out would have been a questionable decision.

While Iheanacho has faced some challenges this season, his talent and past performances for Nigeria make him a player of interest for national team duty. 

His ability to operate as a forward or attacking midfielder has provided tactical flexibility for the Super Eagles in past tournaments.

Eguavoen’s statement comes amid debates over which players deserve to be called up based on form, experience, and team needs. 

The former coach’s perspective suggests that Iheanacho, despite not being at his best recently, still has enough quality to justify his place in an expanded squad.

The 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner was omitted from the 23-man squad announced on Tuesday afternoon. 

Wale Adejumo

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com