Godwin Oliseh Kris, a student at the National Institute for Sports and coach of GPM Football Academy in Ojodu, Lagos, has shared his opinions on the Super Eagles’ squad selection for the upcoming world cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sports247, Kris reflected on his own football journey before transitioning into coaching. “I’m a former footballer and now a coach. I had a lot of challenges in my football career, especially with injuries, and that’s what made me stop playing and move into coaching. I have a passion for building young talent and developing future stars,” he explained.
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When asked about the clubs he played for before his injury, he recalled his time in professional football. “I played for Sunshine Stars from 2014 to 2015, and I was part of the team that won the league. After that, I moved to Nordic and later played in Tunisia for SIL,” he said.
Kris expressed confidence in new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle and his squad selection. “To me, he’s not making a mistake because every coach has their own opinion and decision. When a coach selects a squad, he knows what he wants. The only issue is what happens behind the scenes. In the past, coaches would select their teams, but then external influences would interfere, bringing opinions that disrupt the game or formations. But for me, this is the best selection he has made so far,” he stated.
He also supported the coach’s approach to balancing experienced players with new talent. “I think it’s better to drop some and bring in fresh faces. The formation is good, and I believe it will work well for Nigeria. There’s no need for us to criticize him. He’s a new coach, but we know he has the ability to deliver.”
On the exclusion of Maduka Okoye from the squad, Kris emphasized that current form should be the deciding factor. “I don’t have much to say on that. I think the young man (Okoye) needs to work very, very hard. Nwabali has been in top form, both at club level and for the national team. For me, Nwabali is still the best choice,” he insisted.
He dismissed concerns about Nwabali not playing in a top European league. “Forget that he’s not in a big European league; he’s still the best option for me. Sometimes, we overlook players in African leagues, but they are performing at a high level. Nwabali is still my top choice over Okoye.”
Ahmed Musa’s initial inclusion in the provisional squad and subsequent omission from the final list stirred debate among fans and analysts. When asked about it, Kris acknowledged the importance of Musa’s experience but also respected the coach’s decision.
“Dropping him is something for the technical crew to decide. Personally, I think it was a good decision. We have other mature and experienced players in the squad,” he said.
However, he also recognized the value of Musa’s leadership. “We still need his experience. He can guide the younger players, and even if he’s not playing, his presence can make a difference. He hasn’t retired from the national team, so I believe his influence is still valuable. But at the end of the day, the coach’s decision is final. If he believes Musa shouldn’t be included, we have to respect that.”
As Nigeria prepares for the crucial qualifiers, Kris remains optimistic about the Super Eagles’ chances under Eric Chelle. With a mix of young and experienced players, he believes the team is in a strong position to compete.
