Former Nigeria star lashes out at Chelle’s men: “We have average players… nobody can make anything happen”

Nigeria’s quest to return to the FIFA World Cup hit another setback on Tuesday after the Super Eagles were held to a one-all draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein. The result leaves Eric Chelle’s team stuck in third place in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa with just two matches left to play. The performance once again underlined the struggles of a team filled with European-based stars who have so far failed to make a real impact in the qualification race.

Former Nigeria international Etim Esin expressed his frustration with the situation, describing the squad as average and incapable of producing decisive moments. He believes that the current crop of players lacks the creativity and leadership needed to dominate games, something that has left the national team in a difficult position. Nigeria missed the last World Cup in Qatar and now risks back-to-back failures if they cannot close the gap. The Super Eagles have recorded only two wins, five draws, and one defeat in the group, a return far below expectations for a country with such a strong football tradition.

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The road ahead for Nigeria is short and tough. Only two matches remain in the qualification campaign, offering a maximum of six points to close the gap on South Africa. The Super Eagles will travel to face Lesotho in October, a match expected to be played in South Africa due to logistical reasons, before wrapping up the group stage with a home game against Benin. Both fixtures are must-win encounters if Nigeria are to keep any hope alive of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

Despite having a squad with big names from top European clubs, Nigeria’s performances have not convinced fans or former players. Etim Esin’s stinging criticism reflects a growing sense of disappointment around the team, with many questioning whether the players are motivated or organized enough to turn things around. The draw against South Africa highlighted the lack of cutting edge and inability to capitalize on key moments. The pressure is now firmly on coach Eric Chelle to rally his squad and inspire results. Failure to do so would mean another painful absence from football’s biggest stage and a huge setback for Nigerian football’s reputation on the global scene.

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