Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has called up 24 players ahead of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau later this month.
Nigeria will host Madagascar in the first match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom on September 25 before travelling to Bissau to take on the Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Chelle invited many of the regular faces, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Calvin Bassey for the fixtures as Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the team after missing recent matches due to injuries.
Likewise, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is back with the team following a brief absence due to lack of action at club level.
Additionally, there are also new faces in the team with the addition of winger Moses Usor and forward George Ilhenikina, who was at a point on the radar of the France national team.
Meanwhile, the coach also released another 24-man list consisting of mostly fresh players and a few from the AFCON qualifiers squad for Nigeria’s friendly match against The Boy of Russia on October 6.
Some of the invited players include goalkeeper Michael Atata of Ikorodu United, Stephen Michael, Peter Edokpolor amongst others. Kelechi Iheanacho also earned an invitation after a recent resurgence at club level.
Considering the younger profile of several players in the squad, the friendly match could serve as a useful preparation for Nigeria’s wider U-23 project ahead of the 2027 U-23 AFCON qualifiers starting in November.
Full AFCON 2027 qualifier’s squad
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka.
Forwards: Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilhenikina, Moses Usor.
Full friendly match team
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata, Samuel James, Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Abdullahi Bewene.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak, Aderemi Adeoye.
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar, Abdullahi Umar.