Former Super Eagles striker Femi Opabunmi has advised Eric Chelle to rely solely on performance when finalizing his squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). www.isagoal.com reports.
Chelle, who recently unveiled a 23-man list for the CHAN tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, has drawn attention from fans and former players alike. According to allnigeriasoccer.com, Opabunmi emphasized that picking players based on familiarity or favoritism could derail Nigeria’s hopes of winning the title for the first time.
“Don’t let sentiments influence your choices,” Opabunmi said. “Pick the best and they will deliver their best.”
The roster includes Remo Stars players Sodiq Ismaila and Nduka Junior, top NPFL scorer Anas Yusuf, and Sikiru Alimi, who impressed at the Unity Cup.
Opabunmi, who represented Nigeria at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, praised the NPFL’s rising competitiveness, noting that away wins are now more common than ever.
“The league is tougher now. Winning on the road used to be rare, but things have changed,” he said.
He urged Chelle to prioritize professionalism throughout the tournament. “Do the right thing at the right time. Avoid any emotional bias in team selection,” he concluded.
Nigeria will face Senegal, Sudan, and Congo in Group D, with matches set for Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
This article was updated 4 weeks ago