Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has praised Nigeria’s home-based players, saying they have what it takes to play at the highest level. He promised to give them more opportunities in future games.
Chelle made the statement on Wednesday after Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Ghana in the Unity Cup held in London. Some of the players who featured in the match play for local clubs in Nigeria.
“Like I said, these players, they have some quality and my job is to analyse and make some choice. If I am wrong I am guilty but the reality is that I want to give some chances to these guys because I need to put in my team some guys who can add something because we need to win, it is important for me,” Chelle said during the post-match interview.
He added that including home-based players could make the difference in tough matches.
“Maybe I could find a guy who can score in the last minute against Rwanda or against South Africa or against Zimbabwe or against Lesotho,” he said.
Chelle also stressed that his job is to build the best team possible by combining both local and foreign-based players.
“My job is to work and try to do the best for this team, for Nigeria, for local players and for the other players. So, we will work. I am happy to be here with my players and we are focused on the next game in September.”
The Super Eagles are set to face Jamaica in the final of the Unity Cup on Saturday. Chelle said the team is now focusing on that game and hopes to end the tournament with another win.
“Jamaica is a great team with great players, so we need to prepare well and give our best,” he said.
Although Nigeria beat Ghana, Chelle said the team still needs more training to improve.
“We have work to do, and I believe we will keep getting better,” he said.
