Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained why an increasing number of foreign-born players eligible to represent Nigeria are showing interest in playing for the three-time African champions.According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria, Chelle has successfully attracted several players born outside Nigeria, including Felix Agu, Ryan Alebiosu, Emmanuel Fernandez, Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo, and George Ilenikhena. The players are expected to feature in Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.Chelle explained that the growing movement of foreign-born players choosing to represent African countries is not unique to Nigeria. He noted that several leading African football nations have adopted the approach, making Nigeria’s involvement in the trend unsurprising.“If you look around Africa, it’s what is happening. From Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, DR Congo, Cameroon. Everyone is doing it and a giant like Nigeria can’t be an exception,” Chelle told OwnGoalNigeria.The Nigerian coach, however, stressed that being born outside the country does not automatically earn a player a place in his squad. “Even if you play for a top club you have to be of a certain level and standard to compete with the boys we have, and you know we have the best players in Africa in almost every position,” the coach added.Chelle revealed that some foreign-born players have already been rejected because they were not considered good enough to meet the required standard. “We have turned down some players for that reason”, he concluded.The coach’s strategy has already seen a number of foreign-born players commit their international futures to Nigeria, with the latest group expected to strengthen his options ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
