AFCON 2027Q: Chelle Defends Okoye’s Exclusion For Tanzania Double-Header

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has defended his decision to leave Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye out of his squad for the double-header against Tanzania in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Okoye was a notable omission from the squad announced for the two-legged encounter against the Taifa Stars.

Chelle Speaks On Okoye’s Omission

Speaking to journalists ahead of Friday’s Matchday Three clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Chelle stressed that the goalkeeper remains part of the national team setup, insisting that his exclusion was purely a matter of selection.

Read Also:AFCON 2027Q: Super Eagles Must Work Hard To Overcome Tanzania – Chelle

“Maduka Okoye is still part of the national team, but I made my choice,” Chelle said during the pre-match press conference.

“The national team is not closed to him or to other players.

“My choice was based on what you do on the pitch and around the pitch. You need to have a good position in the group. How do you feel in the group? How do you feel when you’re in that group? Everything on and around the pitch matters.

“After that, I had my tactical thinking, and I made the best choice for the team.”

By Adeboye Amosu

Adeboye Amosu is a seasoned sports journalist and Senior Content Writer with extensive experience covering Nigerian football and international football. He specializes in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), provides insightful coverage, match reports, news, and analysis of the domestic game. Adeboye also follows the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chelsea, bringing his knowledge of the teams, players, and competitions to his writing.