World Cup qualifier: Chelle drops Iheanacho, lists 23 players

…as he faces Rwanda and Zimbabwe on March 17, and 24 respectively

Eric Chelle, coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles have left out Kelechi Iheanacho, the latest Middlesbrough’s signing after listing 23 players in preparation to the team’s World Cup qualifier matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

As the former Malian coach commences his task to qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup with matches against Rwanda on March 17, report has it that Chelle has submitted his preliminary list of players for the upcoming games without the name of Iheanacho, who recently left Sevilla FC to Middlesbrough FC in England’s Championship League.

Since Iheanacho left Leicester City to Sevilla, the trajectory of his football career has been on a slope slide, even at national team level, which has left his prospective followers wondering if the ‘Senior Man’ is down and out of football.

His escapade in Spain with Sevilla was one with rather a sour taste and unpleasant memories. The 28-year-old has struggled to make any real impact since joining the Rojiblancos side, failing to score a single goal in nine La Liga games.

At the national team level, it was also obvious that Iheanacho had dropped form. Going by study, it is difficult to succeed in the round game as a career when one’s form and fitness are plummeting.

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Over times under Austin Eguavoen, the interim Super Eagles coach, Iheanacho was under fire for his under-par performances for the national team.

However, his latest move back to England though with a championship side raise a ray of hope that probably, Iheanacho’s football career is not over yet.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make any real impact since joining the Rojiblancos side, failing to score a single goal in nine La Liga games.

BusinessDay finding shows that Chelle submitted a list of 35 players but will pick 23 players to prosecute the two matches fixed for March as instructed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

However, the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF mainatined that the list is subject to changes due to injuries and fitness concerns with some players on the 23-man list.

Pending any changes due to injuries and fitness challenges, the following players are penciled to prosecute the two matches; Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Williams Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Fiasco Dele-Bashiru and Semi Ajayi.

Others include Ahmed Musa, Stanley Nwabali, Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, Nathan Tella, Paul Onuachu, and Calvin Bassey, among others.

Some new young and new faces listed are Ethan Nwaneri (17years), George Ilenikhena (18years), Victor Udoh (19), Ahmed Abdullahi (20), and Kazeem Olaigbe (22).

Others are Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (20), Samuel Edozie (21), Tino Anjorin (23), Uche Chrisantus, and Chuba Akpom.

Nevertheless, it is still uncertain the players who will make the trip come March 17 and 24, 2025. Whoever plays, what Nigerian fans demand from Chelle and the NFF, is nothing but World Cup qualification.