Super Eagles: Lawal Urges Chelle To Prioritise AFCON 2027, Integrate New Talent

Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal has called upon Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to shift his focus towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and, crucially, to begin integrating fresh talent into the senior national squad.

Nigeria is set to participate in the Unity Cup in London in May, alongside Zimbabwe, India, and Jamaica. Furthermore, the three-time AFCON champions will face Poland and Portugal in international friendlies scheduled for June.

These high-calibre matches are designed to serve as vital preparation for the Super Eagles’ rebuilding phase ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

Speaking to Brila FM, Lawal emphasised the importance of utilising these upcoming friendly fixtures to blood younger players and gradually replace the more experienced, “aging” members of the Super Eagles.

He also commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for arranging such robust opposition for the national team’s friendly encounters.

Lawal stated: “The coach (Eric Chelle) decided to bring new faces in the team which is good. We aren’t going to the World Cup, we are just preparing for the 2027 AFCON. It’s good we are already preparing for next year’s AFCON, those friendlies are quality matches, you can’t underestimate them.

“They are also coming up in football, there is no easy matches I believe those are four friendlies plus another two again so I think it’s a good one.

“As a coach (Eric Chelle) you start building now, since we aren’t going to the World Cup because you say you don’t have the time now you have time to call the new faces you think can improve the team. Some of this players are 28,29 and 30 so if you want to build a team it’s now you should start bringing young players who are 21 and 22.”

Lawal’s advice underscores a strategic vision for the Super Eagles, aiming for a proactive approach to squad development rather than a reactive one.