Dimeji Lawal advises Eric Chelle not to overlook home-based players

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of this month’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with Rwanda and Zimbabwe, former Nigeria international, Dimeji Lawal has advised Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle to consider home-based players for the two games.

Chelle has been attending some Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in Lagos and Ogun state.

Lawal affirmed that the roster for the must-win games will be dominated by foreign-based players.

Nonetheless, he asserted that home-based players should also be considered for the games.

“I am delighted that Eric Chelle has visited some league venues to watch our NPFL matches and I am sure he must seen one or two quality players that can play a key role for the Super Eagles in the qualifying campaign against Rwanda and Zimbabwe,” Lawal told Complete Sports.

“Yes, the two games are must-win encounters but there is nothing wrong if the Super Eagles head coach decides to put his trust in them. No doubt, the list will be dominated by foreign players but we should not ignore the NPFL players.

“We have seen what some of them have done for the team in the past and I know Eric Chelle will want to give them a chance to prove their worth.”

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team faces a daunting task in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with three points from four games.

They need victories over Rwanda and Zimbabwe this month to stand any chance of returning to the global football mundial after non-qualification in 2022.