Duke Udi urges Eric Chelle to adopt England and Senegal selection models for Super Eagles

Former Nigeria international Duke Udi has called on Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to base player selection strictly on merit as debate continues over squad composition ahead of the upcoming Unity Cup in London.

The tournament, scheduled to take place from 26 to 30 May in the British capital, will feature Nigeria national football team alongside India, Zimbabwe and Jamaica.

The semi-finals are set for 26 and 27 May, with preparations already prompting discussion over how the Nigerian squad will be selected.

Speaking in an interview with Brila FM, later republished by Complete Sports, Udi questioned the current approach to call-ups and urged a clearer system based on performance.

He pointed to international examples, specifically England and Senegal, as models Nigeria should study.

“We need to learn from the English and Senegalese national teams. With all due respect to Nigeria, how do they choose their players?” Udi asked.

He stressed that consistency in selection processes is key to long-term success, arguing that countries with more structured systems tend to achieve better results on the international stage.

Using the example of the Senegal national team, Udi highlighted the importance of club performance as the main benchmark for international recognition.

He insisted that players must consistently prove themselves at club level before earning a place in the national squad.

“Any Nigerian who wants to play for the Super Eagles should be chosen on merit, not based on their origin or representatives,” he stated.

According to Udi, factors such as current form and performance in domestic and international leagues should be the only criteria used when assembling the national team.

His comments come at a time when attention is turning to Eric Chelle’s first major squad decisions ahead of the Unity Cup, with fans and analysts closely watching how the new coach will approach team selection.