'They proved they're ready for senior team' - Eric Chelle praises U23 stars after draw with Russia

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has praised the Nigerian players aged 23 and under who featured in Tuesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Russia.

Of the sixteen players that were in action for the Super Eagles at the Sovcombank Arena in Nizhny Novgorod. ten are age-eligible to represent Nigeria at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games , having been born on or after January 1, 2005.

They include Samuel James (SJK Seinäjoki), Benjamin Fredrick (Brentford), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Wilfred Igor (Kristiansund BK), Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF), Chibby Nwoko (Fulham), Vince Osuji (Tromso), Peter Edokpolor (Benfica), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove) and Umar Abubakar (Famalicão).

Chelle handed debuts to nine youngsters following the absence and withdrawal of several key players. 

The Franco-Malian coach explained that the friendly was part of Nigeria's preparations for future competitions, while admitting that assembling his preferred squad had proved difficult.

"We're trying to prepare for the African Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games," Eric Chelle said at the post-match press conference.

"We had trouble getting all the players ready for the team. Today, we had players from the U-23 team, and they proved they're ready for the senior team."

The 19-year-old Edokpolor came off the bench to reduce the deficit in the 78th minute, before fellow teenager Umar Abdullahi teed up Akor Adams for Nigeria’s stoppage-time equaliser.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel