Was Coach Eric Chelle Disrespectful in Dropping William Troost-Ekong for Benjamin Frederick against Rwanda?

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle defended his decision to bench team captain William Troost-Ekong in Saturday’s 1:0 morale boosting win against Rwanda by staying: ", I make my choice as the head coach. I respect my players; it's my job, and responsibility. We win everyone is happy."

I think Chelle handled this matter masterfully by affording Ekong game time towards the dying embers of the game.

In truth, Ekong's propensity to commit bounders is legendary. I can write an entire book centred on his embarrassing faux pas in Nigeria colours from the rugby tackle against Croatia in 2018 all the way to his non-existent tackle against Zimbabwe in March this year to scandalously slashed our World Cup qualification points to 10 instead of the 12 it should be right now.

But high profile errors don't adequately define Ekong's Super Eagles career, that would be disingenuous.

He is a leader, a pleasant chap, a patriot, and the ultimate professional. His long balls are legendary as is his threat to oppositions during set piece routines. As a centre back for Nigeria in a back 3, he is supremely less erratic.

Never in a million years will I advocate for his exclusion from this team; never in a million years will I advocate he starts every match either.

His legendary compadres, Omeruo and Balogun, are, for all intents and purposes, now ex-Super Eagles defenders who defended the honour of the national team with deligence, devotion, and dedication.

I think Ekong too should start to assume the role played by the likes of Stephen Keshi and Nwankwo Kanu towards the tail end of their careers: charismatic and inspirational personalities who had more influence in the dressing room and as an impact ceremonial sub than on the pitch!