Chelle Drops Osimhen, Nwabali As Super Eagles Unveil Squad For Iran, Jordan Friendlies
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has omitted goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and star striker Victor Osimhen from the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Jordan and Iran.
Nwabali, currently without a club, makes way for Udinese shot-stopper Maduka Okoye, who returns to the fold after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to concerns over limited playing time.
In a notable move, Chelle has handed maiden call-ups to Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, Yira Sor of Belgian side Genk, and Philip Otele, who recently joined German Bundesliga club Hamburg.
Osimhen’s exclusion comes as a surprise, particularly as the matches will be played in Turkey, where the Napoli forward has previously enjoyed strong support. Meanwhile, Sor has been in impressive form at Genk, and Otele continues to build momentum in Germany.
The coach has, however, retained key players including captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfield playmaker Alex Iwobi, and forward Ademola Lookman in the 23-man squad.
Originally scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan, the fixtures have been relocated to Antalya, Turkey, following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East.
Nigeria will face Iran on Friday, March 27, with kick-off set for 4 p.m. local time, before taking on Jordan on Tuesday, March 31, at 8 p.m. local time.
The matches were initially billed for the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium and the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, both in the Jordanian capital, but were moved due to security concerns.
Full Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburg, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (Genk, Belgium)
