Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced his squads for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the international friendly against Russia.
Chelle named a 24-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers, with Victor Osimhen included despite the Galatasaray striker recently spending two weeks on the sidelines with an injury.
Saudi Arabia-based forward George Ilenikhena has also received his first senior invitation after previously representing France at youth level. The youngster recently committed his international future to Nigeria.
Nigeria will open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon are among the experienced players selected for the qualifiers.
Other notable names in the squad include Maduka Okoye, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad, while Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu retain their places following their performances during the Unity Cup.
Moses Usor and Portugal-based defender Isaac James have also earned their first senior call-ups.
Super Eagles Squad for 2027 AFCON Qualifiers
Goalkeepers
- Arthur Okonkwo — Charlton Athletic, England
- Maduka Okoye — Udinese Calcio, Italy
- Stanley Nwabali — Chippa United, South Africa
Defenders
- Bruno Onyemaechi — Olympiakos, Greece
- Isaac James — Alverca FC, Portugal
- Benjamin Fredricks — Brentford FC, England
- Emmanuel Fernandez — Glasgow Rangers, Scotland
- Oluwasemilogo Ajayi — Hull City, England
- Calvin Bassey — Fulham FC, England
- Chibuike Nwaiwu — Trabzonspor FC, Turkey
- Bright Osayi-Samuel — Birmingham FC, England
- Olaoluwa Aina — Nottingham Forest, England
Midfielders
- Wilfred Ndidi — Besiktas FC, Turkey
- Alex Iwobi — Fulham FC, England
- Raphael Onyedika — Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
- Frank Onyeka — Coventry City, England
Forwards
- Moses Simon — Paris FC, France
- Victor Osimhen — Galatasaray FC, Turkey
- Akor Adams — Venezia FC, Italy
- Samuel Chukwueze — AC Milan, Italy
- Ademola Lookman — Atletico Madrid, Spain
- Tolu Arokodare — Ajax FC, Netherlands
- George Ilenikhena — Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia
- Moses Usor — LASK FC, Austria
Chelle Names Separate Squad for Russia Friendly
Chelle has selected a different group of players for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia, scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Several players from the AFCON squad have been retained, including Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams.
Former Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho returns to the national team setup for the friendly.
The squad also features several less-established players, including Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata, Enugu Rangers defender Kenneth Igboke and Abdullahi Bewene.
Other new faces include Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James, Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe, Fulham midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael of Vendsyssel FF, Igor Wilfred of Kristiansund FC, Ridwan Abdulrasaq of Al Wasl and Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague.
Super Eagles Squad for Russia Friendly
Goalkeepers
- Michael Atata — Ikorodu City
- Samuel James — SJK FC, Finland
- Stanley Nwabali — Chippa United, South Africa
Defenders
- Kenneth Igboke — Enugu Rangers
- Isaac James — Alverca FC, Portugal
- Benjamin Fredricks — Brentford FC, England
- Emmanuel Fernandez — Glasgow Rangers, Scotland
- Victory Akpe — FC Basel, Switzerland
- Bright Osayi-Samuel — Birmingham FC, England
- Abdullahi Bewene — FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia
Midfielders
- Wilfred Ndidi — Besiktas FC, Turkey
- Raphael Onyedika — Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
- Chibuzo Nwoko — Fulham FC, England
- Stephen Michael — Vendsyssel FF, Denmark
- Igor Wilfred — Kristiansund FC, Norway
- Ridwan Abdulrasaq — Al Wasl, UAE
- Suleiman Mubarak — Slavia Prague, Czechia
- Aderemi Adeoye — Ikorodu City
Forwards
- Kelechi Iheanacho — Bursaspor FC, Turkey
- Moses Simon — Paris FC, France
- Akor Adams — Venezia FC, Italy
- Peter Edokpolor — SL Benfica, Portugal
- Abubakar Umar — FC Famalicao, Portugal
- Abdullahi Umar — Hradec Kralove, Czechia
The two squad selections underline Chelle’s plans to combine established Super Eagles players with emerging talents as Nigeria begins preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign and the subsequent international fixtures.