Chelle charges Super Eagles to start AFCON race with six-point haul
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineHead coach Éric Chelle says Nigeria must make a strong start to their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign by collecting maximum points from their opening two matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles host the Barea of Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday before travelling to Bissau for their second fixture against the Wild Dogs at the 24 September Stadium on Tuesday, September 29.
Chelle wants Nigeria to build an early cushion and avoid the uncertainty that affected their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign despite a late surge.
Chelle said: “We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts, and refuse to slow down at any point.
“We must go for the points without any hesitation.”
Nigeria will welcome back defender Ola Aina and youngster Benjamin Fredricks, while forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been drafted into the squad following the forced absence of Victor Osimhen.
Chelle also has decisions to make in goal, with Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali both available and fit.
In defence, Fredricks, Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Turkey-based Chibuike Nwaiwu are among the options available to the coach.
Nigeria also have several attacking options in Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze and newboy George Ilhenikena.
Friday’s meeting with Madagascar will revive memories of previous encounters between the two sides at senior level.
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At the same stage of an AFCON qualification campaign 16 years ago, the Super Eagles defeated Madagascar 2-0 in Calabar on September 5, 2010.
Nigeria repeated the scoreline in the reverse fixture in Antananarivo a year later.
However, Madagascar recorded a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in a group-stage match at the 2019 AFCON in Alexandria on June 30, although the Super Eagles had already secured qualification for the Round of 16 before the encounter.
Both teams will now begin another race for an AFCON ticket, with Madagascar arriving in Uyo three days before Friday’s encounter.
Super Eagles squad for Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); George Ilhenikena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
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