Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon are among the players selected for the two fixtures.
Key Highlights:
Eric Chelle named 24 players for Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Osimhen, Ndidi, Lookman, Iwobi and Nwabali headline the squad.
Nigeria faces Madagascar on Sept. 25 and Guinea-Bissau on Sept. 29.
Chelle also named a 24-man squad for Russia friendly on Oct. 6.
Several players received their first senior-team invitations.
Nigeria will welcome Madagascar’s Barea to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.
Other notable selections include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina, as well as midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika.
England-based defender Benjamin Fredricks returns to the squad, while Unity Cup standouts Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu have also earned places.
Portugal-based defender Isaac James receives his first senior invitation, alongside forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England), Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England), Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, Netherlands), George Ilhenikina (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
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Chelle has also announced a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.
Ndidi will captain the side, with Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams also included.
Several players have received their first invitation to the senior national team, including Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James, Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe and a number of midfielders and forwards.
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City), Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers), Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England), Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England), Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham FC, England), Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark), Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway), Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl, UAE), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague, Czechia), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City).
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy), Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal), Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia).
