Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his squads for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures and the international friendly against Russia, with Victor Osimhen included despite his recent injury setback.
Chelle has also handed a first senior invitation to George Ilenikhena, the Saudi Arabia-based forward who previously represented France at youth level before choosing to play internationally for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles will begin their AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
The coach has retained several of Nigeria’s established stars, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi, while introducing a number of players seeking to establish themselves in the senior team.
Osimhen makes the cut despite injury
One of the major talking points in Chelle’s selection is the inclusion of Victor Osimhen, who has been sidelined for about two weeks because of injury.
The Galatasaray striker remains part of the 24-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers, underlining his importance to the Super Eagles as Nigeria begins its campaign for a place at the 2027 tournament.
The squad also includes several familiar names from Nigeria’s recent international outings, with Chelle maintaining a blend of experience and younger players.
Among them are Maduka Okoye, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the group, while Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu retain their places after featuring during the Unity Cup.
There are also first senior invitations for Moses Usor and Portugal-based defender Isaac James.
Ilenikhena gets first senior invitation
Another notable inclusion is George Ilenikhena, who has earned his first call-up to the Super Eagles.
The forward previously represented France at youth level but has since committed his senior international future to Nigeria.
His inclusion gives Chelle another attacking option as the coach continues to assess the depth available to him ahead of a busy international schedule.
Nigeria begins AFCON qualification against Madagascar
The Super Eagles’ immediate priority will be their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Nigeria will host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second fixture on September 29.
Chelle has selected a squad featuring several players with considerable international experience, including Ndidi, Nwabali, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon and Osimhen.
The qualifiers will provide the coach with an early opportunity to shape his squad and establish the group of players he intends to rely on as the campaign progresses.
Full Super Eagles squad for September AFCON 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 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, The Netherlands); George Ilenikhena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
Chelle changes things up for Russia friendly
Chelle will use a different group of players for Nigeria’s October international friendly against Russia.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, with a number of players from the AFCON squad retained while several fresh faces are introduced.
Ndidi, Simon, Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Fredricks, Onyedika and Adams are among those selected for the friendly.
Kelechi Iheanacho also returns to the Super Eagles setup, while Chelle has rewarded players from the domestic league and emerging talents based abroad.
Michael Atata of Ikorodu City, Kenneth Igboke of Enugu Rangers and Abdullahi Bewene are among the players included.
The squad also features several less familiar names, including Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James, Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe, Fulham midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael of Vendsyssel FF and Igor Wilfred of Kristiansund FC.
Other new selections include Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak, Aderemi Adeoye, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.
Full Super Eagles squad for Russia friendly
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).
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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).
A blend of experience and fresh faces
Chelle’s latest selections point to an attempt to balance established Super Eagles players with a new generation pushing for international recognition.
Osimhen, Lookman, Ndidi, Iwobi, Simon and Nwabali remain among the familiar names around whom the team can build, while the likes of Ilenikhena, Usor, Isaac James and several of the players selected for the Russia friendly provide additional options.
With the AFCON qualifiers arriving first and the Russia fixture following shortly afterwards, Chelle will have an opportunity to examine different combinations while also building the depth of the Super Eagles squad.
For Nigeria, however, the immediate assignment remains clear: start the road to the 2027 AFCON with a strong result against Madagascar before turning attention to Guinea-Bissau.