Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has hinted at a major shake-up for Nigeria’s final group stage match against the Uganda Cranes, as the team manages injuries to key personnel.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Chelle provided fitness updates on goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and midfielder Frank Onyeka, both of whom are battling knocks following Nigeria’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Tunisia.
Nwabali, the Chippa United captain, reportedly suffered a knee injury after twisting awkwardly while attempting to save a Tunisian goal.
Despite the pain, he finished the match, but his status for the Uganda clash remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka is dealing with an ankle issue that saw him hobble off the pitch in the closing stages of the last game.
“He [Nwabali] has a slight pain in his knee, and Frank has an issue with his ankle,” Chelle told reporters. “We will manage the situation for the team. I have to think about the team as a whole.”
With Nigeria having already secured a spot in the Round of 16 after collecting six points from their first two games, Chelle appears ready to utilize his squad depth.
While he refused to confirm his final selection before the last training session, the coach promised that the roster facing the Cranes would be unexpected.
“The most important thing is our state of mind going into this game,” Chelle stated. “It will be a surprise for you to see the starting eleven tomorrow, but at this moment, I cannot say anything.”
If Chelle decides to rest his starters, there is a deep pool of talent waiting for their first minutes of the tournament.
Currently, 10 players in the 28-man squad have yet to feature in the 2025 AFCON.
While the Super Eagles are playing for momentum and top spot in the group, the match is a “must-watch” for local fans.
Given the history of competitive matches between Nigeria and Uganda, the Cranes are expected to provide a stern test for whatever “surprise” eleven Chelle chooses to field.
Nigeria enters the match with the luxury of qualification, but as Chelle emphasized, the focus remains on maintaining a winning “state of mind” heading into the knockout rounds.
