Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has disclosed that the team’s ‘big name’ players are not happy when they sit on the bench.
Chelle spoke while explaining his decision to take off winger Samuel Chukwueze during Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Commenting on Chukwueze’s clear frustration upon leaving the field, Chelle noted that the substitution was a tactical decision.
“Yes, of course, we’ve in this team a lot of big names. They are competitors; they aren’t happy when they go to the bench,” Chelle said at his post-match interview.
“My job is to make choices, and we’re playing a 4-4-2 diamond, and at this moment I feel we’ve to protect the wing.”
Chelle’s men will take on Tunisia in their upcoming AFCON match on Saturday night.