Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was in attendance at Stade Louis II on Saturday to watch Monaco’s teenage striker George Ilenikhena in action during their 3-0 victory over Olympique Marseille. The coach is reportedly preparing to refresh his squad ahead of Nigeria’s critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September and October.
Ilenikhena, 18, came off the bench late in the match. Born in Lagos, the left-footed striker joined Monaco in January from Belgian side Royal Antwerp and has already made 19 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring three goals.
Though currently representing France at U21 level, Ilenikhena remains eligible to play for Nigeria. However, he would need to initiate a formal nationality switch to feature for the Super Eagles.
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Coach Chelle has reportedly placed Ilenikhena on a growing shortlist of dual-eligible players being considered as part of a long-term overhaul of the national team.
Editorial
Nigeria is waking up to the reality that international football success isn’t just about who’s available it’s about who’s committed. Eric Chelle’s proactive approach in personally scouting talents like George Ilenikhena shows a shift in strategy don’t wait for dual nationals to choose go show them why Nigeria should be their future.
Ilenikhena represents more than just raw potential. He’s the embodiment of modern football’s hybrid identity Nigerian by birth, developed in France, and sharpened in Belgium. At 18, he’s already scoring goals in one of Europe’s top five leagues. That tells us this isn’t just a prospect this is a player ready to challenge for a place.
The fact that Chelle is considering such a forward-thinking pool ahead of crucial qualifiers sends a message. He wants a Super Eagles squad that blends youth, skill, and global experience. If Ilenikhena says yes, Nigeria would gain a striker with long-term value and tactical versatility.
We believe it’s the right time to cast the net wide. The next World Cup won’t wait for Nigeria to catch up. Talents like Ilenikhena could be the difference between heartbreak and history.
Did You Know?
- George Ilenikhena was born in Lagos but moved to France at a young age, joining Amiens’ academy before making his senior debut at 16.
- He became the youngest player to score in European competition for Royal Antwerp at 17.
- Monaco paid a reported €6 million to sign Ilenikhena in January 2025.
- Ilenikhena has featured for France at U17 and U21 levels but is still eligible for Nigeria as he hasn’t played competitively for the senior team.
- Nigeria’s last World Cup appearance was in 2018, with the country failing to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.
