Super Eagles: 2 reasons Eric Chelle was wrong to exclude Kelechi Iheanacho from November squad

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left Kelechi Iheanacho out of Nigeria’s squad for the November 2026 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania, despite the striker enjoying the most productive goalscoring season of any Nigerian in Europe.

The Bursaspor forward has scored 17 goals in 14 league appearances this season, adding another remarkable chapter to his career after leaving Celtic for Turkey.

His omission is surprising because Victor Osimhen will miss the double-header after sustaining a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. The operation was successful, and the striker will be out of action for about three weeks.

Instead, Chelle has selected Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi and Akor Adams among his attacking options. While all three offer different qualities, leaving out a striker in Iheanacho’s current form raises questions about the coach’s selection priorities.

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Super Eagles: 2 reasons Eric Chelle was wrong to exclude Kelechi Iheanacho

1. Victor Osimhen’s injury

Osimhen is Nigeria’s most influential centre-forward, but his absence leaves Chelle without the player who usually carries the greatest responsibility for scoring goals.

The Galatasaray striker sustained a left knee strain during the Champions League match against VfB Stuttgart, and MRI scans also detected a loose body. That makes the need for reliable alternatives even more important.

Arokodare offers brute strength and an aerial presence, while Awoniyi can stretch defences with his movement. Adams also brings energy and mobility. However, Iheanacho combines experience, finishing ability and the intelligence to operate between midfield and attack.

He has also demonstrated that he can contribute at international level, scoring Nigeria’s opening goal in their 3-3 friendly draw against Russia in October.

With Osimhen unavailable, excluding a forward who has already shown he can score for the national team removes another proven source of goals.

2. Iheanacho is in the best goalscoring form of his career

The 30-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 14 league appearances for Bursaspor, including another goal in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor.

His consistency has been remarkable. Before his match against Bandırmaspor on 31 October, Iheanacho had scored in 12 consecutive league appearances, setting a historic Turkish football record.

Although the Turkish second division is not comparable to Europe’s leading leagues, his ability to find the net regularly should count for something when a national team coach is assessing attacking options.

Arokodare, Awoniyi and Adams may offer qualities that suit Chelle’s tactical plans, but their selection should not come at the expense of a striker producing goals at such an extraordinary rate.

Iheanacho also provides tactical flexibility. He can lead the line, play alongside another striker or operate behind the main forward, giving Chelle options in his preferred attacking systems.

Nigeria need goals against Tanzania after their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in September. Leaving out the country’s most prolific striker in Europe, particularly with Osimhen injured, looks like an unnecessary gamble.

Chelle may have his reasons for preferring other profiles, but on current form and the circumstances surrounding Osimhen’s absence, Iheanacho deserved a place.