Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle hails Yira Sor Collins, saying Nigerians will inevitably admire the new star winger

Eric Chelle, head coach of Nigeria’s senior national football team, has praised newly called-up winger Yira Sor Collins, saying supporters will inevitably embrace the player during upcoming friendlies in Turkey. Collins, 25, recently joined the Nigerian squad ahead of matches against Iran and Jordan.

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The Genk winger, making his first senior call-up, is expected to debut on Friday against Iran, a team preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite registering only four goals and one assist in 24 appearances this season, Chelle expressed confidence in Collins’s abilities.

Chelle noted that Collins is among players competing in less prominent leagues but who possess significant talent. “He is thrilling to watch, and Nigerians will have no option but to admire him,” Chelle said, emphasising the winger’s potential impact on the squad.

The Super Eagles will face Iran during the international break before taking on Jordan on Tuesday. Both opponents are using the games as preparation for the upcoming World Cup, while Nigeria aims to fine-tune its squad despite failing to qualify for the tournament.

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Collins’s inclusion reflects Chelle’s broader strategy of integrating energetic and technically gifted players from across European leagues into the national team setup. Fans and observers are keen to see how the new recruit adapts to the international stage.