Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said he needs more time to properly integrate Nigeria’s home-based players into the national team setup following their Unity Cup semi-final victory over Zimbabwe.
Nigeria secured a 2-0 win over the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Tuesday night at The Valley in London, with Femi Azeez scoring twice to seal progression.
Chelle Reflects on Home-Based Players’ Performance
The Malian coach included several Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players in his squad for the tournament as part of his ongoing assessment of domestic talent.
The invited players included Michael Atata, Aderemi Adeoye, Tosin Oyedokun, Chibueze Oputa, Obinna Igbokwe and Elias Ochobi.
Although they featured in the squad, Chelle admitted the transition to international football remains challenging for many of them.
“I Need Time” — Chelle Speaks After Zimbabwe Win
Speaking after the match, Chelle explained that the NPFL players require gradual development to fully adapt to the demands of the national team.
“I need some time to work with them and be part of the small project,” he said.
He added that while expectations remain high, the pressure of playing at international level—especially for first-time call-ups—can be overwhelming.
According to him, experience and exposure will be key in helping the players settle into the Super Eagles system.
Coach Praises Effort Despite Pressure
Despite highlighting the challenges, Chelle expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by the home-based players during the match.
He noted that their performance against Zimbabwe demonstrated potential for future development within the national team setup.
The coach also stressed that the Super Eagles’ progress would not be slowed by the integration process, insisting that the team must continue to move forward competitively.
Unity Cup as Testing Ground for NPFL Talent
The Unity Cup has provided an opportunity for Chelle to assess domestic players alongside established internationals as Nigeria prepares for upcoming competitive fixtures.
The inclusion of NPFL players is seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen squad depth and improve competition for places.
Nigeria’s focus now shifts to the final stages of the tournament as the coaching staff continues player evaluation.
