Eric Chelle Snubs Paul Onuachu, Calls Up Uche Christantus for World Cup Qualifiers

Nigerian national team coach, Eric Chelle, replaced injured striker Paul Onuachu with midfielder Uche Christantus for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Christantus, a Crystal Palace midfielder, stepped in after Onuachu sustained an injury.

Chelle made the decision without a doctor's report, snubbing the inform Onuachu. Meanwhile, Bright, a Young Boys player, also suffered an injury during a Europa League match.

Chelle swiftly made the substitution ahead of the encounter with Atromitos in the Greek Super League. The move came after the Nigerian Football Federation called up Christantus and Zaidu Sanusi to replace injured players.

Birmingham's Bright was replaced by Sanusi, who scored a crucial goal against Porto. Chelle's decision to ignore Onuachu's form raised eyebrows in the Nigerian football community.