Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, notably omitting high-profile forwards Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho, as well as goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. The selection was announced ahead of two crucial matches against Tanzania in November, where Nigeria aims to secure a place in the final tournament.
The squad features captain Wilfred Ndidi, who plays for Besiktas in Turkey, alongside a mix of experienced defenders and attacking talents. Key inclusions include defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Ola Aina, as well as midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. In attack, Chelle has relied on Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams, while goalkeeping duties are shared by Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo.
Nigeria, currently sitting in second position in Group L, faces a demanding schedule to qualify for the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Super Eagles must win both legs of this tie to improve their chances of securing the single available ticket from their group for the final tournament next summer.
The first leg will be played at home, with Nigeria hosting Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13. The team will then travel to Zanzibar for the return fixture against the Taifa Stars at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
Chelle’s selection includes several players based in European leagues, such as Benjamin Fredricks from Brentford and Bright Osayi-Samuel from Birmingham City. The squad also features players from Turkey, Italy, and the United States, reflecting the global spread of Nigerian talent. Notable additions to the defensive line include Turkey-based defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and Czechia-based wing-back Abdullahi Bewene.
The full squad composition is as follows:
- Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
- Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava)
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC), Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio), Mubarak Suleiman (SK Slavia Prague)
- Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Akor Adams (Venezia FC), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC), Moses Usor (LASK FC)
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
