NewStats: 3,261,247 , 8,173,497 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 04:25 PM 3h1x6

🇳🇬 Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has shared his list of highly sought-after players eligible to represent Nigeria, expressing his hopes that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will do their best to call them up for the next international break. He believes that bringing in these young talents will foster competition among the existing players, which will ultimately be beneficial for Nigerian football.

Below are the standout names playing for clubs across Europe:👇

■ Noah Atubolu – Freiburg's starting goalkeeper who has set various records in the Bundesliga this season. He has represented several age-grade teams for .

■ Felix Agu – The 25-year-old left-back for Werder Bremen, who has been capped by 's U21 team.

■ Caleb Okoli – A central defender for Leicester City, who recently moved from Italy's Serie A.

■ Samuel Edozie – A Manchester City academy graduate currently on loan at Anderlecht from Southampton.

■ Victor Udoh – A winger for the Golden Eaglets who signed with Premier League club Southampton from Antwerp in Belgium.

■ Tosin Adarabioyo – A central defender for Chelsea.

■ George Ilenikhena – AS Monaco striker who has been capped by at the U21 level.

■ Michael Kayode – A highly-rated fullback who has been capped by Italy at the U21 level and is currently on loan at Brentford in the Premier League.

■ Kazeem Olaigbe – The 22-year-old winger who recently transferred from Belgian club Cercle Brugge to French Ligue 1 club Rennes.

■ Jacob Murphy – Winger who recently won the Carabao Cup Newcastle United

■ Ahmed Abdullahi – A Flying Eagles striker who played at the 2023 U20 AFCON and ed Sunderland from Belgium during the January transfer window.

■ Chuba Akpom – The former Arsenal and Ajax striker who moved to Lille in and recently said he has been waiting for Nigeria call-up since he changed his international allegiance from England.

■ Kingsley Ehizibue – A rugged, hard-tackling defender formerly with FC Cologne, now playing for Udinese in Italy.

■ Josh Maja – Already capped once by the Super Eagles, he has been scoring goals in the Championship for West Bromwich.

■ Ebenezer Akinsanmiro – An Inter Milan loanee currently playing for Sampdoria. He is a highly-rated midfielder who signed with Inter from Remo Stars.

■ Carney Chukwuemeka – A Chelsea loanee at Borussia Dortmund who has been capped by England at the youth level.

■ Ethan Nwaneri – A teenage sensation who is making waves at Arsenal.

■ Tino Anjorin – A former promising Chelsea Academy midfielder who is now with Empoli in Italy.

■ Lesley Ugochukwu – Another Chelsea loanee currently with Southampton, who has been capped by at the U21 level.

Kog45:
Kanu performance in 6 Afcons and 3 WC will always make it debatable to rate him as Nigeria best.

If going by APOTY then Ikpeba is greater than Okocha.

All these back and forth for Nigeria’s best player is not as complex but our people no go ever gree.

For me it’s simple a player who scored 13 Afcon goals, has APOTY, has Afcon title shouldn’t be too difficult to know and that’s Rashidi Yekini. We forget that the players who have ucl titles and other European titles had if not far better players in the squad they played in. As a matter of fact a Lookman with his hatrick in a europa final dwarf the other Nigerian players who have won other titles because of that master performance. This is where Yekini stands out yes people will say there were players feeding him but no be some players they feed Dey throw away chances anyhow? A player whose goal scoring record has endured for many years says so much about such player.

Impeccable5248:
🇳🇬 Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has shared his list of highly sought-after players eligible to represent Nigeria, expressing his hopes that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will do their best to call them up for the next international break. He believes that bringing in these young talents will foster competition among the existing players, which will ultimately be beneficial for Nigerian football.

Below are the standout names playing for clubs across Europe:👇

■ Noah Atubolu – Freiburg's starting goalkeeper who has set various records in the Bundesliga this season. He has represented several age-grade teams for .

■ Felix Agu – The 25-year-old left-back for Werder Bremen, who has been capped by 's U21 team.

■ Caleb Okoli – A central defender for Leicester City, who recently moved from Italy's Serie A.

■ Samuel Edozie – A Manchester City academy graduate currently on loan at Anderlecht from Southampton.

■ Victor Udoh – A winger for the Golden Eaglets who signed with Premier League club Southampton from Antwerp in Belgium.

■ Tosin Adarabioyo – A central defender for Chelsea.

■ George Ilenikhena – AS Monaco striker who has been capped by at the U21 level.

■ Michael Kayode – A highly-rated fullback who has been capped by Italy at the U21 level and is currently on loan at Brentford in the Premier League.

■ Kazeem Olaigbe – The 22-year-old winger who recently transferred from Belgian club Cercle Brugge to French Ligue 1 club Rennes.

■ Jacob Murphy – Winger who recently won the Carabao Cup Newcastle United

■ Ahmed Abdullahi – A Flying Eagles striker who played at the 2023 U20 AFCON and ed Sunderland from Belgium during the January transfer window.

■ Chuba Akpom – The former Arsenal and Ajax striker who moved to Lille in and recently said he has been waiting for Nigeria call-up since he changed his international allegiance from England.

■ Kingsley Ehizibue – A rugged, hard-tackling defender formerly with FC Cologne, now playing for Udinese in Italy.

■ Josh Maja – Already capped once by the Super Eagles, he has been scoring goals in the Championship for West Bromwich.

■ Ebenezer Akinsanmiro – An Inter Milan loanee currently playing for Sampdoria. He is a highly-rated midfielder who signed with Inter from Remo Stars.

■ Carney Chukwuemeka – A Chelsea loanee at Borussia Dortmund who has been capped by England at the youth level.

■ Ethan Nwaneri – A teenage sensation who is making waves at Arsenal.

■ Tino Anjorin – A former promising Chelsea Academy midfielder who is now with Empoli in Italy.

■ Lesley Ugochukwu – Another Chelsea loanee currently with Southampton, who has been capped by at the U21 level.

thought a news article once came about Murphy rejecting us to wait for England abi I just imagined that

Just came to me now. We usually blamed the distractions from bloggers as reason we always had bad performances in uyo. Now that we did not win in uyo despite having a ban on mixing of players with bloggers, what will we blame for the performance?

Amedino99:
Just came to me now. We usually blamed the distractions from bloggers as reason we always had bad performances in uyo. Now that we did not win in uyo despite having a ban on mixing of players with bloggers, what will we blame for the performance?

The food they ate. Too much starch na why Ekong could not carry his leg and kick out the ball that Zim scored. Same with Osayi, he no fit run again, too much Fufu.

Kog45:
West Ham Olarewaju Mubarak Awesu news made me to ex Nigeria international Kunle Awesu,a left winger,many who watched him in the 70s always saying he is the best ever Nigeria left foot winger....fans in 70s till date believe that Kunle Awesu and Thompson Usiyen are the bests,rating Usiyen over Yekini.

The duo of Awesu and Usiyen left Nigeria to United States to pursue their academic goals and fans were shattered by that decision,funny AWESU left without informing his club and friends like Okala,Muda Lawal.

Kunle Awesu lived a very secluded life and till date nobody can trace his family history,his wife,children even his grandparents but from what I heard Kunle Awesu hailed from Offa in Kwara State.

Are we going to have another AWESU in Lanre in eagles after Kunle,time will tell but NFF need to cap our FBs keepers ASAP, recently we are on dearth of quality keepers, capping Arthur Okonkwo and the likes not a bad idea

I dey gbadun this your historical tidbits.

Goke7:


and na Man U e go win something 😂 Dey play

I'm addressing your point that he should go to Saudi.

Parizz:
i watch kanu play in the 2000s and all he does was fall all over the place like a pack of cards. You didn't watch etim esin, haruna ilerika and you are hailing okocha

Take it or leave it, Kanu is the sleekest, the most intelligent player Nigeria has ever produced. For a guy his height, it makes it even more wonderful.

Kog45:
Kanu performance in 6 Afcons and 3 WC will always make it debatable to rate him as Nigeria best.

If going by APOTY then Ikpeba is greater than Okocha.

nothing debatable, I'll say it again, you can't rate a player base on at most 4WC games in four yrs or 6AFCON games in 2yrs. Jayjay we all know should won at least 1998 APOTY. Kanu played several games for SE outside Afcon and wc.

I hope yrs later we no get hear say Osimhen was poor because he couldn't qualify Nigeria for WC

Kog45:
Oga Zicky,Kanu is intelligent and won laurels that only Mikel can compete with but Kanu cannot be the best Nigeria player ever,only way to rate Nigeria best player is Super eagles,I repeat it Super eagles.......how could Nigeria best ever player went to 6 Afcons and 3 WCs with no goal and his assists is debatable..... Argentines accepted Messi after winning WC,and they valued his goals and assists.

I respect Kanu cuz I watched his debut match live for Nationale against Ranchers bees of Kaduna in FA cup played in Ilorin,he came in from the bench and scored,zeal it for Iwanyanwu in a dramatic way,after the match me and my friends went to Circular hotel in Ilorin where Nationale lodged to see tall and skinny boy Kanu,then baba I be real local football fan and tagged stadium boy.

Pls how would you rate Boniface as at today in Nigeria football history compare to Osimhen and Lookman

You have always maintained that Kanu is not the Nigeria's best but have failed to state who is.

Who do you think is the Nigeria's over-all best player of all time?
And who is the Nigeria's greatest player of all time?
I would want to know

Enugu Rangers vs Heartland (President Federation Cup)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz2g_6zcJAo

Kog45:
These are generational talents and not easy seeing them.

Haruna Ilerika
Henry Nwosu
Etim Esin
Austin Okocha......Mikel Obi would have ed these generational talents but Mourinho did him shege.

When you watched these great guys then you appreciate football more....

Kanu is definitely up there among the first names of Nigerian generation talents

Kog45:
West Ham Olarewaju Mubarak Awesu news made me to ex Nigeria international Kunle Awesu,a left winger,many who watched him in the 70s always saying he is the best ever Nigeria left foot winger....fans in 70s till date believe that Kunle Awesu and Thompson Usiyen are the bests,rating Usiyen over Yekini.

The duo of Awesu and Usiyen left Nigeria to United States to pursue their academic goals and fans were shattered by that decision,funny AWESU left without informing his club and friends like Okala,Muda Lawal.

Kunle Awesu lived a very secluded life and till date nobody can trace his family history,his wife,children even his grandparents but from what I heard Kunle Awesu hailed from Offa in Kwara State.

Are we going to have another AWESU in Lanre in eagles after Kunle,time will tell but NFF need to cap our FBs keepers ASAP, recently we are on dearth of quality keepers, capping Arthur Okonkwo and the likes not a bad idea

Wow, I don't know about all these players you have mentioned Sir as I started watching football in1994 as a young boy.
Thanks for sharing this piece Sir.
Noah Atubolu May be out of reach but Arthur Okonkwo will also come good for us.
Report has it that , Arthur Okonkwo May get an invite for the Unity Cup tournament in May.

Goke7:


abeg I no get that mind o

lest i forget, fifa never comot their three points

Mtcheew

Daninya33:
It seems Rohr has quit his role with the squirrels of Benin Republic.

What

charlesemeka85:
yes

Ahh, what was the reason

mekabuachi:
Mtcheew

Don't take the guy serious. He is a content creator who is always looking to get Nigerians attention for engagement on his page.
The only match Finidi won as a Super Eagles coach was against Ghana..no big deal playing them

Kog45:
Oga Zicky,Kanu is intelligent and won laurels that only Mikel can compete with but Kanu cannot be the best Nigeria player ever,only way to rate Nigeria best player is Super eagles,I repeat it Super eagles.......how could Nigeria best ever player went to 6 Afcons and 3 WCs with no goal and his assists is debatable..... Argentines accepted Messi after winning WC,and they valued his goals and assists.

I respect Kanu cuz I watched his debut match live for Nationale against Ranchers bees of Kaduna in FA cup played in Ilorin,he came in from the bench and scored,zeal it for Iwanyanwu in a dramatic way,after the match me and my friends went to Circular hotel in Ilorin where Nationale lodged to see tall and skinny boy Kanu,then baba I be real local football fan and tagged stadium boy.

Pls how would you rate Boniface as at today in Nigeria football history compare to Osimhen and Lookman

thank God una dey help me face am, reading all his point just dey make me laugh…he wanted to use brain and rope Musa into the equation…this was all about who was Super eagles best player…this page just get luck i dey busy yesterday, walai we go drag that argument enter 2026…but make i chill dey enjoy all the counter una dey give am

Kanu best player
Yekini best striker🤣🤣

zicky:
so what brought Kanu into the conversation, if not same person that mentioned Yekini as SE best player was at the same time talking down on Kanus achievements to make his point appear legit.

bros nobody is talking down on Kanus Achievements, we are only telling you cannot cannot be the best super eagles players every laiye laiye…A player that never shone at the world cup nor lift an Afcon trophy or an afcon goal for SUPER EAGLES….laiye laiye he is not the best super eagles player ever….no vex i no gree with you

solonnachi:


What

Wetin happen…e b like say d news shock u..Abi u Dey collect cut from rohr salary ..anyway I was ed to apply for d post but I declined it saying I can’t qualify another team ahead of my country, anyway Dey re still trying to convince my lawyer Mujtahida

zicky:
oga distinguish between a Nigeria player and a Nigeria midfielder make we dy ask yeye questions, go ask fifa why Osimhen won golden Booth and Nwakali won golden ball at 2019 u17

so like this now u dont want to categorize Kanu as a forward striker/player but just a midfielder…the other day i try call IK uche a striker but you wanna try to bend me to see him as a winger🤣🤣

charlesemeka85:
Kanu is the greatest

Yekini is the greatest super eagles player

Iheanacho has 2 1st half assists for Middlesbrough

Moses Simon also has an assist

Sleekiest, most intelligent human on earth bla bla bla, if you no shine by putting super eagles with your sheer hardwork and goals to show for, you no b my own best super eagles player ever lai lai
-let your sheer hardwork help super eagles to Shine at the world cup by scoring sweet goals that will even advance us to the knock out phase

-win Afcon by scoring some quality decisive goals from the group stages for super eagles that will even make us advance to the final and win it

-win African player of the year by these awesome showings in the super eagles

-score goals that will suffocate many generations of super eagles player to meet up with…

then you can for the best super eagles player of all time….

from the days of John the baptist Yekini’s heroics in goal scoring has been driving us to either semifinal or final or even winning the afcon
Afcon 1988 ed a goal, played at the final
Afcon 1990 scored 3goals(his goal sent us to the final after beating Zambia 2-0 in Semifinal)
Afcon 1992 top scorer of the tournament with 4goals
Afcon 1994 top scorer of the tournament with 5goals played at the final and best player of the tournament
make anybody beat this back to back top goal scorer of afcon first for super eagles make we see how far..

Kanu is an awesome player to be celebrated massively with very good numbers and also made us smile at Age grade competition(u17 and u23), and won for himself an individual APOTY….but he no help super eagles in any way to achieve anything…
o pari

minfelix:

Yekini is the greatest super eagles player

Yakubu is my own.

AndSunGorilla:

Yakubu is my own.

Good luck sir 😅😅🙌🏻🙌🏻

Napoleon55:

Kanu is definitely up there among the first names of Nigerian generation talents

You noticed he intentionally omitted kanu name. This one na agenda

minfelix:
Sleekiest, most intelligent human on earth bla bla bla, if you no shine by putting super eagles with your sheer hardwork and goals to show for, you no b my own best super eagles player ever lai lai
-let your sheer hardwork help super eagles to Shine at the world cup by scoring sweet goals that will even advance us to the knock out phase

-win Afcon by scoring some quality decisive goals from the group stages for super eagles that will even make us advance to the final and win it

-win African player of the year by these awesome showings in the super eagles

-score goals that will suffocate many generations of super eagles player to meet up with…

then you can for the best super eagles player of all time….

from the days of John the baptist Yekini’s heroics in goal scoring has been driving us to either semifinal or final or even winning the afcon
Afcon 1988 ed a goal, played at the final
Afcon 1990 scored 3goals(his goal sent us to the final after beating Zambia 2-0 in Semifinal)
Afcon 1992 top scorer of the tournament with 4goals
Afcon 1994 top scorer of the tournament with 5goals played at the final and best player of the tournament
make anybody beat this back to back top goal scorer of afcon first for super eagles make we see how far..

Kanu is an awesome player to be celebrated massively with very good numbers and also made us smile at Age grade competition(u17 and u23), and won for himself an individual APOTY….but he no help super eagles in any way to achieve anything…
o pari

Don't get yourself worked up over wrong notion.

People are not saying Kanu is the greatest super eagles player but the greatest Nigerian player,or the best Nigerian player.

Super eagles is the biggest team in Nigeria's football but it's not the only scale to measure greatness of every Nigerian player.

Sunday Mba wrote his name in super eagles history book with his AFCONS winning goals,but there were so many nigerian players who never won AFCONS or score that are greater or better.

Napoleon55:

Don't get yourself worked up over wrong notion.

People are not saying he is the greatest super eagles player but the greatest Nigerian player.

Super eagles is the biggest team in Nigeria's football but it's not the only scale to measure greatness of every Nigerian players.

Sunday Mba wrote his name in super eagles history book with his AFCONS winning goals,but there were so many nigerian players who never won AFCONS or score that are greater

😭 this kain contradiction

Odunayaw:
😭 this kain contradiction

There is no contradiction,
Kanu achieved more as Nigerian player than as a super eagles player.
As a Nigerian player,he won Olympics, U17 WC,champions league.
While as a super eagles player alone he won nothing.