Osimhen, Lookman, Ndidi, Iwobi lead Chelle charge against Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening two fixtures of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman among the headline names.
The three time African champions will begin their qualifying campaign against Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau four days later for a Day 2 clash with Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.
Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye and Unity Cup revelation Arthur Okonkwo made the squad, while the defensive department includes Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Benjamin Fredricks, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu and first time invitee Isaac James.
In midfield, Chelle retained the experience of Ndidi and Iwobi alongside Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka. The attacking options feature Osimhen, Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.
James, Ilhenikina and Usor are among the players earning their first senior invitations, while Okonkwo and Nwaiwu will look to build on their impressive displays during the Unity Cup.
The selection gives Chelle a blend of established Super Eagles players and emerging options as Nigeria begin the road to
Full List:
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).
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