Éric Chelle has blended established Super Eagles stars with several new faces in a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s next two 2027 AFCON qualifying matches. Captain Wilfred Ndidi leads the squad, which features Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze.
Nigeria’s first assignment is against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25. Four days later, the three-time African champions will face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs away from home.
Chelle has also handed opportunities to a number of players seeking to establish themselves at senior international level.
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, who impressed during the Unity Cup, are included in the squad. Isaac James, George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor are listed for their first senior call-ups.
The squad also sees the return of Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredricks, while Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika retain their places.
Squad breakdown
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Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali.
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Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina.
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Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka.
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Forwards: Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilhenikina, Moses Usor.
The Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fixtures come before Nigeria’s October international friendly against Russia, also included in the NFF’s latest squad announcement.
Chelle has listed another 24 players for the friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, with Ndidi, Moses Simon, Nwabali, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams among those selected.
The Russia squad includes several players who have not previously featured for the senior team, including goalkeeper Samuel James, defender Victory Akpe and a number of midfielders and forwards.