Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad For AFCON Qualifiers
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to meet Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi headline the squad, alongside established players including Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Tolu Arokodare.
Arthur Okonkwo returns to the squad after his impressive performances during the Unity Cup, where he kept clean sheets against Zimbabwe and Jamaica. He joins Nwabali and Maduka Okoye among the goalkeepers.
Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks have also returned, while Chibuike Nwaiwu keeps his place after making an impression during the Unity Cup.
Chelle has handed first senior call-ups to Portugal-based defender Isaac James and forwards George Ilhenikhena and Moses Usor.
The squad combines experienced Super Eagles players with new faces as Chelle looks to build depth ahead of the AFCON qualifying campaign.
### 24 Players Invited
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Isaac James (Alverca), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt), Frank Onyeka (Coventry City).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Akor Adams (Venezia), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), George Ilhenikhena (Al Ittihad), Moses Usor (LASK).
