Osaze Odemwingie Backs Super Eagles Coach for Dropping Osimhen, Lookman for Friendlies
Former Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie has thrown his weight behind Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle’s decision to omit top stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the squad set to face Russia and Ghana in upcoming friendly matches.
Odemwingie, who had a successful stint in Russian football during his career, expressed full support for the decision, describing it as a bold and progressive move aimed at increasing competition and unearthing new talent.
“I like it when new names appear; there will be more competition for the main players,” Odemwingie told Championat. “Nigeria cannot always rely on the same players.”
✨ A Fresh Era for the Super Eagles?
With the Super Eagles facing Russia in Moscow on June 6, Chelle’s 21-man squad includes four uncapped players—a sign that the coach is keen to test new systems and identify emerging talents as part of a long-term project.
While stars like Osimhen, Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey have been left out, their absence is not due to injury or disciplinary reasons, but rather a calculated plan to explore squad depth.
💭 Opinion: Rotation, Not Rejection
Odemwingie’s endorsement may calm nerves among fans who questioned the absence of key figures like Osimhen, currently one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, and Lookman, fresh off a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final.
Let’s not forget — friendly games are for experimentation, and top national teams thrive on squad rotation. Nigeria, blessed with one of Africa’s deepest talent pools, must develop reliable alternatives and avoid overdependence on a few stars.
It’s not about sidelining heroes. It’s about building a team that is sustainable, unpredictable, and competitive on every level.
🔍 The Bigger Picture
Coach Eric Chelle’s approach reflects a modern trend in international football:
Use friendlies to test
Build depth
Prepare for bigger tournaments
And with a legend like Odemwingie backing the strategy, fans may want to watch closely — a new Super Eagles generation could be on the rise.
#TalkTalkNigeria #NaijaFootballNews #OsazeOdemwingie #VictorOsimhen #AdemolaLookman #EricChelle #FriendlyMatches #SuperEaglesReloaded #TrustTheProcess 🇳🇬⚽
