Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has praised the effort of the Nigeria Premier Football League players handed opportunities against Zimbabwe but insists they must improve if they want to become regulars in the national team.
Nigeria began the defence of their Unity Cup title with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe at The Valley on Tuesday, thanks to a brace from debutant Femi Azeez.
The game saw Chelle field an unfamiliar-looking squad, with several established stars including Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman absent from the setup.
Nigerian players applaud the visiting fans during the Unity Cup. Photocredit: Imago
Rather than relying solely on Europe-based regulars, the Franco-Malian tactician used the tournament opener to assess an experimental squad blending foreign-based players with standout performers from the NPFL.
Among the home-based players trusted from the start were defenders Oputa and Igboke, both of whom delivered composed displays in Nigeria’s backline.
Tosin Oyedokun and Aderemi Adeoye also impressed after coming off the bench, further strengthening the case for increased inclusion of domestic league players in the national team setup.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle shares his verdict on NPFL stars Oputa, Igboke, and other home-based players after Nigeria’s Unity Cup win over Zimbabwe.
Despite expressing satisfaction with the performances of the NPFL stars, Chelle admitted the transition was not easy for players making their first appearance in Europe under the pressure of international football.
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“It was difficult for some of the new players because it was their first time playing in Europe. The pressure on them was high,” Chelle said during his post-match press conference.
“Nonetheless, I’m happy with what they showed me and what they showed to Nigerians. But this is only a friendly game, it is not a World Cup or AFCON qualifier.
“They need to work hard and fully understand what the technical staff and I want from them.
“Playing at the highest level is difficult, and we made a lot of mistakes in certain patches of the game.”
Since taking charge of the Super Eagles, Chelle has repeatedly shown a willingness to hand opportunities to NPFL players, with the Unity Cup marking the second time he has invited a sizable number of home-based stars into the squad.
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However, competition for places is expected to intensify once Nigeria return to major assignments, with World Cup qualifiers and AFCON fixtures likely to bring back several established internationals.
For Oputa, Igboke, Oyedokun, Adeoye, and the other NPFL players, the Unity Cup may have provided a valuable platform, but Chelle’s latest remarks suggest maintaining a place in the squad will require even greater performances moving forward.
