National Teams
John Utaka urges Eric Chelle to maintain squad stability ahead of AFCON 2025
By Dayo Awoniyi
Former Nigeria forward John Utaka has advised head coach Eric Chelle to avoid major changes to the Super Eagles’ squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, stressing that stability—rather than experimentation—is crucial at this stage.
Speaking on Brila FM, Utaka argued that despite Nigeria’s stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, the current Super Eagles group has developed chemistry that should not be disrupted.
“No, you don’t need to bring in new players. Most of the present boys understand what it means,” Utaka said, noting that any significant infusion of new faces should be targeted at future competitions, not AFCON 2025.
The former Montpellier striker emphasized that the team’s strength lies in its cohesion, rhythm and familiarity—qualities he believes could be undermined by introducing too many newcomers.
“You have to use your team because there is understanding between the players right now. I believe they know their errors and will try to amend things,” he said.
Utaka warned that adding “five to ten new players” could create instability, arguing that newcomers would need time to adjust to the system, their teammates and the pressures of a major tournament.
“The players there are consistent and understand each other well. New players need time to adapt and that can take a long time. It might destabilize things,” he cautioned.
With AFCON 2025 drawing closer, Nigeria will be seeking to regain momentum, and Utaka believes that trusting the existing squad—and building on its current cohesion—offers the best path toward a strong tournament campaign.
