SCORENigeria can exclusively report that the delay in the release of the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 World Cup Playoffs was caused by the insistence of coach Eric Chelle to have a bigger squad in Morocco.
The NFF Saturday announced a 24-man squad for the World Cup Playoffs that included Semi Ajayi, who is suspended for the match against Gabon Thursday, but will be eligible for the Playoffs final should the Super Eagles advance.
“The coach submitted his squad much earlier, but the issue was that he demanded for a bigger squad, while the NFF wanted the coach to only call up 23 players to save cost,” an official told SCORENigeria
“The coach argued he will be a lot more comfortable with more than the usual 23 players because hopefully Nigeria will play two very important matches within a short time and one cannot rule out injuries and fatigue.”
This was also the case in May for the Unity Cup, when the coach asked for a bigger squad because besides the possible two games in London, the Super Eagles also had to play against Russia in Moscow around the same time.
The Super Eagles opponents Thursday, Gabon, have announced a 25-man squad for the Playoffs clash.
