Yakubu Slams Chelle for Overlooking NPFL Goalkeepers

Former Super Eagles forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni has criticised head coach Eric Chelle for repeatedly inviting Tanzania-based goalkeeper Amas Obasogie despite giving him no playing time during Nigeria’s failed 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

Obasogie, who plays for Singida SC, has been called up several times but is yet to make his senior debut. Although he was part of the squad throughout the qualifiers, he never featured in any match, a decision Yakubu believes reflects a lack of confidence in Nigerian-based goalkeepers.

Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, Yakubu said coaches traditionally include “one or two home-based players,” but questioned Chelle’s choice, asking, “You brought in a goalkeeper from Tanzania, did you watch him in goal before?” He insisted the coach “has not watched him,” adding that it would have been more beneficial to give exposure to an NPFL goalkeeper instead.

Yakubu argued that calling up a foreign-based player who does not play “makes little developmental sense” and urged Chelle to give local goalkeepers a chance.

Despite receiving at least eight call-ups, Obasogie still sits behind more experienced options in the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping pecking order.