According to a report by OwnGoal Nigeria on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly opted against inviting Slavia Prague winger Emmanuel Anyaosi to Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, choosing FC Basel forward Philip Otele instead.

The decision comes despite Anyaosi’s impressive performances in the UEFA Champions League this season, where the 22-year-old has established himself as an important member of the Czech club. Concerns about his readiness for senior international football are believed to have influenced Chelle’s decision to leave him out.

Anyaosi had been expected to receive his first call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of Nigeria’s qualifying encounters against Tanzania. The young winger has featured in every minute of Slavia Prague’s Champions League matches this season, demonstrating his importance to the team.

He also caught attention with an assist during Slavia Prague’s 2-2 draw against Fenerbahçe, helping his side recover from a two-goal deficit to secure a valuable point. Despite his impressive contributions at club level, his performances have reportedly not been enough to convince Chelle to include him in the national team.

According to the report, Anyaosi was recommended to the Super Eagles manager as a possible replacement for the injured Samuel Chukwueze. However, Chelle was reportedly not convinced that the Slavia Prague attacker was ready to handle the demands of senior international football and eventually settled on Otele.

The FC Basel forward is believed to have benefited from his previous experience with Nigeria. The 26-year-old has already represented the Super Eagles on four occasions, giving him an advantage over Anyaosi in terms of familiarity with the national team setup.

The report further revealed that Chelle has been keeping track of Anyaosi’s progress despite overlooking him for the latest squad. The Nigerian coach had previously invited another Slavia Prague player, David Moses, to the senior national team, while Mubarak Suleiman received an opportunity with the Nigeria U-23 side.

Chelle’s reported decision indicates that he is favouring players with existing international experience as he prepares his team for the important qualifying fixtures, rather than introducing another inexperienced player at this stage.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are continuing their preparations for their upcoming matches against Tanzania as Nigeria pursue qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.