Eric Chelle adds his long-sought German bomber to his Super Eagles fleet

His last name translates to ‘Tiger’ in Nigeria’s Igbo dialect. Literally, both the German Football Association (DFB) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) may have unknowingly unleashed a young beast, setting free the roaring feline to roam freely with Nigeria’s senior national team, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Felix Agu has been allowed to play for the Super Eagles by FIFA and Germany. According to the NFF, this has been achieved following Germany’s DFB confirmation to the World football body that the Germany born player whose parents are of Nigerian descent, can represent his Fatherland.

“Felix Nnaemeka Agu confirmed ok to play for Nigeria’s @NGSuperEagles” the NFF announced on their official X account.

“The German FF have written to confirm that the player has never represented them at any official game at the A and Junior level.

“Played (Agu) only 2 friendly games for the U21 team in 2019. Welcome Felix”!

This also means that Nigeria boss Eric Chelle, has now realized his wish of having his long-sought ‘German Bomber’ within fingertip for inclusion in his modest and poor-spirited Super Eagles fleet.

The Super Eagles blame their misfiring defensive setup for the side’s Achilles heels in recent loss of form.

In Nigeria’s last five games, a 0-0 stalemate against arch-rivals Ghana Black Stars in an Africa Cup of Nations (ANC) qualifier on December 28, 2024, and a 2-0 away victory against Rwanda in a CAF World Cup (CWC) qualifying play on March 21, 2025, are the Super Eagles only clean slates since November.

Before then, the Super Eagles had uncannily surrendered a goal lead against visitors Rwanda, going on to end the game with a painful loss against the Amavubi in a home tie in the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) qualifier on November 18, 2024.

The Home-based assemblage of the Super Eagles, despite defeating their Local Black Stars setup 3-1 in the reverse fixture of their ANC game on home turf, still managed to maintain their enduring poor defensive legacy of inability to maintain a clean sheet in recent games.

Perhaps, the most glaring of the Super Eagles’ defensive frailties occurred in Nigeria’s insipid showing against the Zimbabwe Warriors in a CWC qualifier before an expectant home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on March 25, 2025.

After huffing and puffing to a lone goal lead off a header by prolific goalscoring forward Victor Osimhen against a well-organized Warriors defense-minded side, Nigeria still managed to contrive a surrender of the priceless advantage at almost the last kick before stoppage time.

Chelle, Nigeria’s newly appointed national team selector later identified as a priority a need to add sterner personnel to the defensive setup of his side in hopes of fortifying the Super Eagles’ uninspiring defense and stemming the team’ fast cascading downward spiral into ambivalence.

With such defensive talents lacking domestically, the Malian born Nigeria manager has seen fit to take his search outside the country’s shores where he now hopes to lure talented Nigerian footballers born into the diaspora to the national team.

Their inclusion is intended by the new manager to riffle competition within the team and add needed ounces of muscle to the side’s qualities to achieve the overall new national project of making the Super Eagles great again.

Chelle has consistently expressed his fondness for Agu, the Bundesliga Werder Bremen’s fullback, and has already added Germany born defender to the fold in the upcoming Unity Cup friendlies in London well ahead securing his clearance to play for Nigeria.

A grateful Nigeria fanbase can only keep fate and hope that the newly unleashed German bomber set to arrive Chelle’s camp in London next week, will help right the course of the Super Eagles’ wobbling and fumbling defense.