Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi included.
Nigeria will begin their Group L campaign against Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face the Wild Dogs four days later.
Chelle retained several players who form the established core of his squad, including goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielders Ndidi, Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Osimhen, Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Tolu Arokodare.
The selection also features several decisions that could shape the next phase of Chelle’s Super Eagles project.
Arthur Okonkwo returns to the squad after impressing during the Unity Cup, where he kept clean sheets in Nigeria’s victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica. He joins Nwabali and Maduka Okoye in a three-man goalkeeping group, setting up another contest for the starting position.
Defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks have also returned, while Chibuike Nwaiwu remains involved following his emergence during the Unity Cup.
Chelle has handed three players their first senior call-ups. Portugal-based defender Isaac James joins the squad after previously featuring prominently in the coach’s plans for the Russia friendly, while forwards George Ilhenikhena and Moses Usor have also received their maiden invitations.
The Super Eagles are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, with Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 tournament as one of the co-hosts.
That leaves Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau competing for the additional qualification spot from the group.
The 24-man list
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers, Scotland); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Akor Adams (Venezia, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax, Netherlands); George Ilhenikhena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK, Austria).
