Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is facing selection concerns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau, with George Ilenikhena, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams among the players doubtful for the match.
Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
Ilenikhena, who scored on his international debut against Madagascar, is a major doubt after picking up a fitness concern ahead of the crucial Group L encounter.
The 20-year-old came off the bench to score Nigeria’s equaliser in the 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chelle said the striker would be assessed after the team’s final training session.
“We have to manage, maybe George, he has a little something, so we have to manage what we see at the last training session too,” the coach said.
Chelle also revealed that other players in the squad had fallen ill at the team’s hotel in Bissau, although he did not disclose their identities.
“After that, we have 2 or 3 players that are a little sick, so we see, we’ll see after the training session before tomorrow,” he said.
Adams is also listed as doubtful after experiencing a fitness issue. Both he and Ilenikhena started Nigeria’s opening qualifier against Madagascar.
The fitness concerns come at a difficult time for Chelle, with Victor Osimhen already unavailable for the current international window due to his ongoing medical treatment.
Osimhen’s absence has left Nigeria with fewer options in attack, while the uncertainty surrounding Ilenikhena and Adams could force Chelle to make further changes to his frontline.
Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Usor and Ademola Lookman are among the attacking options available to the coach, with Usor having impressed on his international debut against Madagascar.
Despite the concerns, all 24 players took part in Nigeria’s only training session at the match venue, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
Chelle is expected to make his final decisions after the team’s last training session before the Group L encounter.
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau both began their qualifying campaigns with victories, making Tuesday’s meeting an important fixture in the group.
The Super Eagles will be looking to build on their comeback win over Madagascar and maintain their winning start to the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
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