Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has made a bold and controversial decision by excluding in-form Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche and Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers from Nigeria’s final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The omissions of Uche and Dessers have sent shockwaves through Nigerian football fans, especially given their standout performances for their respective clubs this season. Both players have been in exceptional form, making their exclusion all the more surprising.
New Faces in the Squad
Among the 23 players selected, there are four fresh faces: Tolu Arokodare, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Igoh Ogbu, and Kayode Bankole, who are all receiving their first call-ups to the national team.
The squad boasts key figures such as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Bankole, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon. However, some regulars were notably left out, including Kelechi Iheanacho, Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Chidera Ejuke, and veteran Ahmed Musa.
Uche’s Rapid Rise and Disappointment
Christantus Uche’s exclusion is perhaps the most shocking. After a move from Spain’s third division to Getafe this summer, Uche has become a vital player for the La Liga side, contributing three goals and three assists in 31 appearances. His remarkable rise from the Spanish fifth tier to becoming Getafe’s Player of the Month in August has caught the attention of top European clubs, including Chelsea.
Uche’s form also earned him a nomination for La Liga’s U-23 Player of the Month in February, competing against some of Europe’s brightest talents. His recent performance against Atletico Madrid, which included impressive stats like 100% dribbles completed and several key passes, only made his exclusion more puzzling.
Dessers: The Snub That Has Fans Talking
Cyriel Dessers, another standout player this season, has been in scintillating form for Rangers. The 30-year-old striker has netted 22 goals and provided six assists across all competitions, including 10 goals and three assists since January. Dessers’ stats put him on par with Victor Osimhen in terms of goal contributions this season, yet he has been dropped in favor of other options like Sadiq Umar.
While Arokodare’s inclusion leading the Belgian league with 16 goals can be justified, many fans have voiced their confusion over the selection of Sadiq Umar, whose performances have not matched Dessers’ goal-scoring feats.
Moreover, the selection of Southampton’s Joseph Ayodele-Aribo over Uche has added fuel to the fire of fans questioning Chelle’s decisions.
Social Media Reactions and Fan Outrage
Nigerian football fans have expressed their outrage and disappointment on social media. One fan, Pamela Taiye, questioned, “So Dessers was dropped for Sadiq Umar? We are in danger of missing out on the World Cup and you people are still doing politics.” Others, like Clinton Eleto, simply asked, “Aribo over Uche???”
The exclusion of two of Nigeria’s most in-form players has sparked intense debate, with many fans wondering what more Dessers and Uche could have done to earn their place in the squad.
High Stakes for the Super Eagles
The Super Eagles, currently sitting fifth in Group C, will face Rwanda on March 21st in Kigali, followed by a crucial match against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25th. With the team in desperate need of victories to improve their World Cup qualification chances, all eyes will be on Coach Chelle’s controversial decisions.
As the team prepares for these pivotal encounters, fans are hoping that Chelle’s bold squad choices will pay off on the pitch despite the uproar over Uche and Dessers’ omissions. The pressure is now on to deliver results and keep Nigeria’s World Cup dream alive.
