Éric Chelle has praised the commitment and performance of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players invited to the Super Eagles squad but insists they must raise their level further if they hope to secure regular places in the national team setup.
Nigeria began their Unity Cup title defence in impressive fashion with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe at The Valley on Tuesday night, thanks to a brilliant brace from Femi Azeez.
The match featured an experimental Super Eagles side, with several established stars such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman absent from the squad.
Chelle instead opted to blend home-based talents with foreign-based professionals as part of his wider assessment of the team’s depth ahead of future competitions.
Among the standout performers were NPFL defenders Oputa and Igboke, both of whom earned starting berths and delivered composed displays under pressure.
Tosin Oyedokun and Aderemi Adeoye also impressed after making appearances from the bench, showing flashes of quality and determination.
Despite expressing satisfaction with the overall performance of the home-based players, Chelle maintained that the journey for them is only just beginning.
Speaking after the match, the Franco-Malian tactician admitted that the occasion posed a major challenge for some of the debutants, especially given the intensity and pressure that comes with representing Nigeria on European soil.
“It was difficult for some of the new players because it was their first time playing in Europe. The pressure on them was high,” Chelle said during his post-match press conference.
“Nonetheless, I’m happy with what they showed me and what they showed Nigerians. But this is only a friendly game it is not a World Cup or AFCON qualifier.
They need to work hard and fully understand what the technical staff and I want from them.
“Playing at the highest level is difficult, and we made a lot of mistakes in certain patches of the game.”
Since taking over as Super Eagles head coach, Chelle has consistently shown a willingness to give NPFL players opportunities on the international stage.
However, with crucial World Cup qualifiers and major tournaments approaching, competition for places is expected to become even more intense.
For the home-based stars, the Unity Cup may have offered a valuable platform to showcase their abilities, but Chelle’s message remains clear talent alone will not be enough.
Consistency, tactical understanding, and continuous improvement will determine who survives in the long-term plans of the Super Eagles boss.
