Eric Chelle’s Nigeria starting XI against Rwanda featured three bold calls—benching captain Troost-Ekong, abandoning the diamond system, and starting Ademola Lookman despite his lack of game time.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has taken bold decisions in naming his starting XI for Saturday’s must-win World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, with three standout selections sparking debate.
1. Troost-Ekong dropped for debutant Fredrick
Veteran defender and captain William Troost-Ekong was left out, with Wilfred Ndidi handed the armband. In his place, 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick made his competitive debut alongside Calvin Bassey. The choice shocked many, particularly as Troost-Ekong featured at Friday’s pre-match press conference. Chelle’s decision may be tied to defensive errors that cost Nigeria against Zimbabwe in March. Fredrick’s performance will be closely watched.
2. Chelle abandons diamond system
Since his appointment, Chelle has favored a 4-4-2 diamond, but he opted for a 4-3-3 in Kigali. The trio of Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi offered balance, energy, and creativity. Up front, Victor Osimhen led the line, supported by Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman. The shift aimed to stretch Rwanda’s compact setup and improve Nigeria’s pressing from the front.
3. Lookman starts despite lack of match fitness
Ademola Lookman, frozen out at Atalanta after a failed transfer, was still named in the XI. Though lacking match sharpness, his explosive quality and chemistry with Osimhen made him too valuable to ignore. Chelle’s faith underlines Lookman’s status as a game-changer.
Chelle’s lineup reflects both high risk and high reward in Nigeria’s pursuit of qualification.