Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi headlines the squad alongside defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has also been called up, alongside defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredrick, as well as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, return to the squad.
Portugal-based defender Isaac James earns his first call-up to the Super Eagles, while forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor are also included in the squad for the first time.
Read Also:Which Players Should Eric Chelle Invite For The 2027 AFCON Qualifiers?
The Super Eagles will host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs in a Matchday 2 encounter on Tuesday, September 29.
Chelle 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, The Netherlands); George Ilhenikina (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)
4 Comments
I don’t believe in these midfield players, we need to do more abeg.
Definition of coach that select his players on merit, despite his beef with tolu, he still call him base on his recent form and didn’t allow Gala to bully him from inviting osimhen.
That midfield is light.
Iwobi is not a central midfielder. So we have only 3 CMs,
What of Nnadi, Yusuf, Tijani? Ogbelu is not even on the radar. If they are not injured, 1 or 2 of these should have been included.
I hope we are not repeating past mistakes. Madagascar and GB usually pack their midfield, and we need a strong midfield to match them.
My ideal lineup: 3-4-1-2
Okonkwo
Nwaiwu, Ajayi, Bassey
Aina, Onyeka, Ndidi, Bruno
Lookman (Iwobi sub)
Osimhen, Akor
With 3 CBs, we historically have a stronger defense. And the Osi/Akor/Lookman trio was the deadliest attack at the last Afcon. The midfield also has 2 natural CMs.
This for me is the optimal lineup with this group of players.
So what is new in this selection, especially the midfield? This is just ridiculous. This Coach is trying to tell us that he is actively working, but still calling up Moses Simon> Nothing to write home about. It is well and all will be well.