Nigeria will face Tanzania in their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header without star striker Victor Osimhen, after head coach Éric Chelle announced his 24-man Super Eagles squad for the November fixtures.
The Galatasaray forward is missing from the selection following a fresh injury setback involving his left knee, which is expected to keep him out of the national team’s upcoming assignments.
Galatasaray confirmed on Friday, November 6, that Osimhen sustained a strain in his left knee during the club’s UEFA Champions League encounter against VfB Stuttgart.
Although the Nigerian international completed the entire match in Galatasaray’s 2-0 victory, subsequent MRI examinations detected a loose body in the affected knee.
The Turkish champions announced that the 27-year-old would undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Saturday, November 7, at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital under club doctor Yener İnce.
The development represents another frustrating interruption for Osimhen, who also missed Nigeria’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in September because of a thigh muscle injury.
His latest absence leaves Chelle with the responsibility of finding alternative attacking solutions against Tanzania.
Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare has been included in the squad and will be among the forwards expected to help fill the attacking void.
The 25-year-old joined Ajax from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan in the summer of 2026, with the agreement including an option to buy.
Arokodare is joined by Atletico Madrid forward Ademola Lookman, Paris FC winger Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Usor in the six-man attacking department.
Lookman and Simon provide experience and creativity from wide positions, while Arokodare and Awoniyi offer Chelle additional options through the middle.
Akor Adams also retains his place following his involvement in the team’s previous qualifying campaign.
The absence of Osimhen means Nigeria will have to distribute their attacking responsibility rather than rely on their leading striker to provide the goals.
Ndidi, Iwobi and Lookman lead 24-man selection
Captain Wilfred Ndidi headlines the midfield alongside Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The defensive department features Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Abdullahi Bewene.
Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo are the three goalkeepers selected.
Full Super Eagles squad for Tanzania
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Abdullahi Bewene (Baník Ostrava).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrežová), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Mubarak Suleiman (Slavia Prague).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Akor Adams (Venezia), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Moses Usor (LASK).
Nigeria’s qualification hopes on the line
The Super Eagles will host Tanzania in Uyo on November 13 before travelling to Zanzibar for the return encounter on November 17.
Nigeria currently occupy second position in Group L with three points, three behind Guinea-Bissau, who have won their opening two matches.
Their campaign started positively with a 2-1 home victory against Madagascar before a disappointing 3-0 away defeat to Guinea-Bissau left them under pressure.
Tanzania have already secured their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, meaning Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the group’s only remaining qualification spot.
Two victories against the Taifa Stars would significantly improve Nigeria’s chances ahead of the final qualifying window in March 2027.
For Chelle, however, the immediate challenge will be ensuring that the absence of Osimhen does not weaken the team’s attacking threat when the Super Eagles return to competitive action.
The 2027 AFCON tournament is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17 across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.