Former Chairman of the Gombe State Football Association, Alhaji Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has stirred debate in Nigerian football circles after calling on Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to drop star striker Victor Osimhen from the starting line-up. In a social media post, the Chief Executive Officer of Green White Green (GWG) Sports Center Ltd insisted that no player is bigger than the national team, arguing that the Super Eagles can succeed without Osimhen. Gara-Gombe drew comparisons with other African football powerhouses, noting that Morocco at times left out Hakim Ziyech without suffering major setbacks, while Cameroon had previously sidelined Vincent Aboubakar without disastrous consequences. He accused Osimhen of displaying excessive arrogance, warning that such an attitude could negatively affect team harmony. The former FA boss referenced a tense on-field incident between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which he said raised concerns about discipline and unity within the squad. “This is Nigeria, not Napoli or Galatasaray,” Gara-Gombe said, stressing that commitment to the national team must always take precedence over individual status. He urged Coach Chelle to demonstrate firmness and courage by making difficult decisions in the interest of the team. “If Eric has liver, he should not start him in the next match,” he stated. Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s attacking options, Gara-Gombe said the Super Eagles possess sufficient depth to cope without Osimhen. He highlighted the quality of Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu, insisting they are capable of breaking down any defence at the Africa Cup of Nations, provided they receive quality service from the midfield. “Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon and Onuachu can demolish any defence in AFCON, provided the passes are coming,” he added.
Bench Osimhen, heaven will not fall, Gara Gombe urges Chelle
