Eric Chelle has defended his selection of players for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), responding to growing criticism over alleged bias in the process – www.naijnaira.com reports.
During a press briefing ahead of the tournament, Chelle addressed the backlash regarding the inclusion of multiple players from Remo Stars.
In a report published by Saturday PUNCH, he stated that his selection had nothing to do with affiliations but was instead rooted in tactical needs.
“My only thinking is I have a philosophy. I want to keep the ball, and when we don’t have the ball, I want us to press high,” Chelle said.
He explained that players were chosen strictly based on how well they could execute his high-pressing, possession-based style.
Chelle rejected claims that his assistant’s role as Remo Stars’ head coach influenced the choices.
“This is not a question about my assistant being the coach of Remo. No, no, no,” he added firmly.
He also cited Morocco and South Africa’s tendency to pull heavily from a few dominant domestic clubs to justify his strategy.
While acknowledging that a few deserving players may have been left out, Chelle insisted that the squad chosen reflects his system’s demands.
With Nigeria grouped alongside Senegal, Congo, and Sudan, the coach appears more focused on cohesion than public opinion.
Chelle admitted the team would miss players like Papa Daniel Mustapha, who became ineligible after moving abroad.
The squad was finalized after an intensive training camp at Remo Stars Sports Institute, led by Junior Harrison Nduka.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
