Chelle Under Fire as Super Eagles Boss Names Unchanged Lineup for Zimbabwe Clash

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has sparked controversy after refusing to alter his lineup for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Despite concerns from some fans and analysts about squad rotation and fatigue, Chelle has opted to stick with the same starting XI that faced Rwanda on Friday. Critics argue that the decision could backfire, especially with key players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman expected to shoulder the attacking burden once again without fresh legs in the squad.

While some supporters praise the move as a show of confidence in the team that secured victory against Rwanda, others fear that tactical predictability and potential fatigue could hinder Nigeria’s performance against a determined Zimbabwe side.

With high stakes in the World Cup qualification race, all eyes will be on Chelle’s unchanged squad to see if his gamble pays off—or if Nigeria’s campaign faces an unexpected setback.