Super Eagles: Ranking Nigeria’s 4 best right-wingers – Tella, Azeez, Chukwueze

Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella has made clear ahead of the new season that he wants to wear the Nigerian national team shirt again, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Bayer Leverkusen winger has spoken openly about his determination to return to Eric Chelle’s squad after an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign that kept him out of both club and international action.

The 27-year-old missed 29 matches because of muscle, knee and foot injuries, limiting him to only 17 Bundesliga appearances. Even so, he managed one goal and six assists, showing flashes of the quality that helped Leverkusen during their successful recent seasons.

Speaking during Leverkusen’s preparations for the 2026-27 campaign, Tella welcomed the competition for attacking places.

“We have several wingers in our squad, but this competition for the few available spots is exactly what I need so I can get the best out of myself,” Tella told RP-Online.

Although he admitted he sometimes prefers playing in one fixed position, Tella believes his versatility is an advantage.

“There are times when I’d prefer to be tied to one position. But this way, my chances of playing are automatically greater. My goal, of course, is to accumulate as many minutes as possible.”

His biggest target, however, is returning to Nigeria after injuries and the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup denied him further international opportunities.

“I want to get back into the national team. Of course, it was very frustrating that Nigeria didn’t make the World Cup and I missed many qualifying matches. But now a new season and a new attempt are beginning – to play for Nigeria again, that’s my dream.”

With Chelle building a fast, high-pressing team, competition on the right wing is becoming stronger than ever. Afrik-Foot ranks Nigeria’s five best options heading into the new season.

Right wingers: Super Eagles power rankings

4. Zadok Yohanna: The future of the position

At just 18, Zadok Yohanna is already viewed as Nigeria’s brightest attacking prospect. The left-footed winger earned a high-profile move to Brighton after impressing in Sweden with AIK, where his direct running, quick feet and creativity caught the attention of scouts across Europe.

A hamstring injury delayed his senior international breakthrough, but his talent is obvious. Yohanna likes to attack defenders one-on-one, cut inside onto his stronger left foot and create chances.

He still has to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of senior international football, but few young Nigerian attackers have a higher ceiling.

3. Femi Azeez: The rising challenger

Femi Azeez has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year. The powerful winger finished last season strongly with Millwall before announcing himself on the international stage by scoring twice against Zimbabwe in a friendly in May 2026.

His biggest strengths are his pace, strength and relentless work rate. Azeez presses defenders aggressively and is comfortable carrying the ball over long distances, qualities that fit Chelle’s demanding style.

If he secures a move to the Premier League and continues to develop, he could soon become a regular challenger for a starting place in the Super Eagles.

2. Samuel Chukwueze: Super Eagles’ proven match-winner

Few Nigerian wingers are as dangerous in one-on-one situations as Samuel Chukwueze.

The AC Milan star remains the Super Eagles’ most established natural right winger. His explosive acceleration, quick feet and trademark left-footed runs inside have troubled defenders in Serie A, Premier League, Europa League, Champions League and for Nigeria.

Chukwueze’s ability to create chances from nothing keeps him highly rated in Nigeria, even if he struggles to deliver consistently. While coaches sometimes want quicker decision-making in transition, his experience at the highest level makes him a key figure in Chelle’s plans.

When Nigeria need a player capable of changing a game with one dribble, Chukwueze is usually the first name that comes to mind.

1. Nathan Tella: The perfect tactical fit for Eric Chelle

If fitness is the only concern, Nathan Tella could become Chelle’s ideal right winger. No Nigerian right winger offers a better overall package than Tella for Chelle’s current tactical system.

While Chukwueze remains Nigeria’s most explosive dribbler and biggest individual threat, Tella brings greater balance. His pressing, positional discipline, defensive contribution and intelligent movement allow the entire team to function more effectively.

Modern international football demands more than flair alone. Coaches want attackers who defend, press, recover possession and make smart decisions under pressure.

That is exactly why Tella sits at the top of this ranking. If he stays injury-free and rediscovers his best form at Bayer Leverkusen, his dream of returning to the Super Eagles could soon become reality. And he may just establish himself as Eric Chelle’s first-choice right winger.