Former Super Eagles Coach and NFF Technical director Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his concerns over the possible exclusion of Kelechi Iheanacho from Nigeria’s final squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Head coach Eric Chelle initially named a 39-man provisional squad for the crucial encounters, expanding the usual 23-man list to include several new faces. However, reports suggest Iheanacho might not make the final cut, a decision Eguavoen deems unfair.
“It’s not fair on Kelechi Iheanacho if Eric Chelle makes a 39-man list and he isn’t involved. If it’s a 23 or 25-man list, that’s fine,” Eguavoen stated via MNF, as quoted by Brila Media.
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Iheanacho, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough, has struggled for regular game time under manager Michael Carrick, failing to find the back of the net in his last five appearances.
Despite his recent struggles, many fans and analysts believe his experience could be valuable for Nigeria in these must-win qualifiers.
Chelle is expected to unveil the final squad this week, with preparations set to begin shortly after. The Super Eagles will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25. If included in the squad, Iheanacho will be eager to make a significant impact in these decisive fixtures.
