Eric Chelle names key players in the Super Eagles squad ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has named six standout players in his squad as he prepares to lead Nigeria to another crucial victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening in a match set to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 pm.

In a pre-match press conference held on Monday, Chelle highlighted the talent within his squad, singling out key players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Sadiq Umar as the standout stars to watch.

According to Chelle, these players will play an essential role in the team’s quest for victory.

“Victor is a superstar so we need to work together, every player needs to work together to help our star score lots of goals,” Chelle said, referring to the prolific Napoli striker.

He continued, “Every player in this team is a great star. Alongside Victor, you have Boniface, Tolu, Umar, Lookman, and Samuel [Chukwueze], you have many great players.”

Chelle stressed the importance of teamwork and unity, emphasizing that the Super Eagles need to play with a shared purpose to secure goals. “We need to play with the same identification, just for scoring goals. This is why we need to bring a game project for the team,” he added.

A victory against Zimbabwe would see Nigeria reach 9 points in the group stages, significantly boosting their chances of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles will be hoping for a dominant performance as they aim to continue their strong start in the qualifiers.

Eric Chelle praises the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Rwanda, acknowledging the team’s adaptability but stressing the need for improvement

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has lauded his players for their impressive effort and adaptability following their 2-0 victory over Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

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The encounter, which took place on Friday at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, saw the Nigerian team edge past the Amavubi to secure a crucial win in their qualifying campaign.

In his first game as head coach of the Super Eagles, Chelle opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying key players like Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi in midfield, while Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen formed the attacking quartet.

The tactical setup allowed the Super Eagles to dominate the match, ultimately securing the three points with a solid 2-0 victory.

While Chelle expressed his pride in the team’s performance, he acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. “This is why I said I am proud of my players.

Congratulations to them,” the 47-year-old coach said after the match. “We need to improve, I know that. This was the first game, so I’m happy for the win, but we need to go back to work.”

The coach also pointed out that the team employed two or three different systems during the match, showing flexibility and adaptability.

“We have a team with strengths and weaknesses, my job is to think about the game and project,” Chelle explained. “My job is to tell my players it’s possible to play like that, so this is a game we played two or three systems.”

Chelle’s comments reflect a realistic approach to the team’s performance, acknowledging both their strengths in the win and the areas that need further development.

Manchester United have shortlisted Victor Osimhen as one of their top striker targets for the summer transfer window, as they aim to strengthen their attack

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has made it onto Manchester United’s four-man striker shortlist as the Premier League club looks to reinforce its attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have faced challenges in the final third this season, with their current forwards, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund, struggling to find consistent form.

Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna last summer, has scored just six goals in 44 competitive appearances, while Højlund has managed only eight goals in 39 matches across all competitions.

This underperformance has contributed to Manchester United’s difficulties in front of goal, with the team having netted just 37 goals in 29 Premier League matches. As a result, they are trailing behind 13 other teams in terms of goals scored.

In response to these struggles, Manchester United is actively seeking a solution, and Osimhen is one of the players under consideration, according to journalist Florian Plettenburg.

Currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen has been in exceptional form, scoring 26 goals in 30 appearances, including 20 goals in 22 league matches, making him the Super Lig’s top scorer.

Osimhen is expected to return to Napoli in the summer, but with his strong performances, a permanent move to a top European club appears likely.

Reports suggest that Osimhen is eager to move to Old Trafford despite interest from other clubs, including French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

In addition to Osimhen, Manchester United are also reportedly monitoring Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres, who has impressed with his goalscoring abilities, and two Bundesliga forwards: RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, who has netted 17 goals and provided six assists in 36 appearances, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitéké, who has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 38 games.

Meanwhile, Napoli is considering a potential swap, with reports from *La Gazzetta dello Sport* suggesting that they are eyeing Højlund as a possible replacement for Osimhen.

Currently on international duty with the Super Eagles, Osimhen is preparing for Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Reflecting on the importance of the upcoming games, Osimhen stated, “It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup and with our situation in the group, I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament.”