Eric Chelle will take charge of his first two matches as Super Eagles’ head coach during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
According to a Score Nigeria exclusive, Chelle has submitted a 31-man shortlist to the Nigerian Football Federation and will trim it down to 23 players before the games.
The publication further noted that Chelsea-owned midfielders of Nigerian descent Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka were included on the preliminary list.
Both have reportedly submitted an application to FIFA to switch their international allegiance and link up with the three-time African champions.
Sources deny Chelsea midfielders’ callups
According to journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, a top NFF official denied the reports that the two midfielders have applied for a nationality switch.
“Only a federation can apply on behalf of players if they intend to switch, news circulating now is fake news,” that source said.
Paris-based Nigerian sports journalist Babatunde Ojora published a statement on social media from Ugochukwu’s family members debunking the reports.
“We didn’t receive any calls from anyone. Lesley’s focus now is on his club. We are not aware of any provisional list nor has he submitted any papers for a switch of nationality,” he wrote.
Southampton loan star Ugochukwu represents France at youth levels, while Borussia Dortmund’s new loan signing Chukwuemeka represented England at youth levels.
The France youth international in the past has hinted playing for Nigeria if the opportunity arises, but the Austrian-born star has been mute over his international future.
Source: www.legit.ng
