Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has criticized national team coach Eric Chelle over his decision to include Tanzania-based goalkeeper Amas Obasogie in the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and playoffs, even though the player never featured in any match.
Yakubu, who played for top clubs including Everton, Middlesbrough, and Portsmouth during his career, questioned why Chelle repeatedly invited the Singida SC goalkeeper despite not giving him a debut or any playing time. He expressed his concerns while speaking on the Home Turf podcast, where he discussed squad selection, player development, and the state of the national team.
Amas Obasogie, who plays in the Tanzanian Premier League, received eight call-ups under Chelle during the World Cup qualifiers. However, he did not make his senior debut throughout the campaign. His inclusion raised questions among football fans and analysts, especially given the availability of several home-based and foreign-based goalkeepers who are actively playing in competitive leagues.
Under Chelle, the competition for the goalkeeper position has remained stiff, with more experienced goalkeepers ahead of Obasogie in the pecking order. This made his repeated invitation more noticeable and, in the eyes of some observers, difficult to justify.
During the podcast, Yakubu expressed disappointment in Chelle’s decision-making, emphasising that national team invitations should be based on merit and careful assessment.
“Historically, the coaches put in one or two home-based players,” Yakubu said. “You brought in a goalkeeper from Tanzania, Amas Obasogie. We have keepers here. Did you watch him in goal before?”
He suggested that the coach may not have seen enough of Obasogie’s performances to justify multiple call-ups.
“He has not watched him. Why not bring one keeper here to give him experience?” Yakubu asked.
Yakubu argued that several goalkeepers in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) or even abroad could have benefitted from the exposure that comes with being invited to the national team. He stressed that such opportunities should not be wasted on players who do not get any playing time.
The Super Eagles’ goalkeeping department has been a topic of national debate for years. Since the retirement of long-term first-choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and, later, Carl Ikeme’s forced retirement due to illness, Nigeria has struggled to find a stable and reliable replacement.
Goalkeepers such as Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, and Adebayo Adeleye have all had moments in goal but faced criticism for inconsistency. This struggle has pushed coaches to explore new options, including looking into smaller leagues or considering home-based talent.
It is within this context that Chelle’s decision to include Obasogie in his squad drew attention. Many analysts argued that while scouting new talent is necessary, a balance must be maintained to ensure players are selected based on current form and readiness.
Yakubu also touched on the long-standing issue of home-based players being overlooked in favour of foreign-based professionals. For years, critics have argued that local players do not get enough opportunities to prove themselves at international level, even though the Nigerian league has produced several successful national team stars in the past.
By questioning the decision to pick a goalkeeper from the Tanzanian league instead of giving a chance to one from the NPFL, Yakubu echoed the concerns of many local football supporters.
The NPFL, while facing financial and structural challenges, has continued to produce talented players who perform well in continental competitions. Many believe these players deserve more recognition at the national level.
Eric Chelle, who took charge of the Super Eagles following a turbulent period marked by inconsistent performances, has faced pressure to rebuild the team. His goalkeeping selections have been watched closely, especially after Nigeria’s struggles during some of the qualifiers.
Although Chelle has not publicly responded to Yakubu’s comments, the debate over Obasogie’s call-up has added to discussions about the coach’s overall selection strategy.
Despite his eight call-ups, Obasogie remains far from becoming the first-choice goalkeeper. With more experienced and higher-profile goalkeepers ahead of him, it is uncertain whether he will feature in future matches or continue to receive national team invitations.
For many fans, Yakubu’s comments reflect a broader concern: the need for transparency and fairness in national team selections, especially as Nigeria prepares for major competitions ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
