Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Independent Mirror reports that the squad includes captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Alex Iwobi, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.
The Super Eagles will host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau’s Djurtus four days later on Tuesday, September 29.
Chelle has also invited goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
England-based defenders Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad, while goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu are also included.
Portugal-based defender Isaac James receives his first senior invitation, while forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor are also set for their first involvement with the Super Eagles.
24 Super Eagles for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
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, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, 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).
The squad announcement comes as Nigeria begins its campaign for a place at the 2027 AFCON, with the Super Eagles drawn alongside Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in Group L.
Super Eagles coach also named a separate 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia on Tuesday, October 6, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
24 Super Eagles for Friendly Against Russia
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 City, England); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czech Republic).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, 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, Czech Republic); 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, Czech Republic).
