Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has defended his decision to include nine players from Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars in his final 24-man squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Malian tactician has faced significant criticism for his selection, particularly as one of his assistants, Daniel Ogunmodede, currently serves as the head coach of Remo Stars, raising concerns about potential favoritism.
Addressing the controversy, Chelle explained that his selections were based purely on tactical considerations and his playing philosophy rather than any bias.
"My only thinking is I have a philosophy. I want to keep the ball, and when we don't have the ball, I want us to press high. So I need to bring some players who can play in my philosophy," Chelle told the Super Eagles media.
The Home Eagles have been fine-tuning their preparations with two friendly matches against Zanzibar this week. The first encounter ended in a goalless draw, while the second match on Thursday saw both teams share the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
These warm-up games have provided valuable match practice ahead of Nigeria's CHAN 2024 campaign opener against defending champions Senegal, scheduled for next Tuesday at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar.
The African Nations Championship is a tournament designed exclusively for players plying their trade in their home countries' domestic leagues, making it a vital platform for local talent to showcase their abilities on the continental stage.
Chelle's possession-based approach appears to have influenced his preference for Remo Stars players, who have demonstrated their quality by clinching the NPFL title. The coach will be hoping his tactical vision translates into success as Nigeria aims to make a significant impact in the tournament.
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