AFCON 2027: Chelle names 24-man squad for qualifiers

by · The Eagle Online

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has included injured striker Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s 24-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Osimhen has been sidelined for two weeks with an injury but has still been invited for Nigeria’s first competitive assignments since the last AFCON in Morocco.

The three-time African champions will host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face the Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.

Chelle’s squad is led by captain Wilfred Ndidi and also includes goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare are also in the squad.

England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the fold, while Unity Cup revelations Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu have also been invited.

Portugal-based defender Isaac James has received his first senior call-up, alongside forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Ilenikhena, who committed his international future to Nigeria after featuring for France at youth level, is also in line for his first appearance with the Super Eagles.

Chelle has also released a separate 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.

Also Read:

Ndidi will lead the squad, which includes established players such as Simon, Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams.

In-form Bursaspor forward Kelechi Iheanacho returns to the national team, while Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata and Enugu Rangers defender Kenneth Igboke have also been called up.

FC Baník Ostrava forward Abdullahi Bewene retains his place after impressing on his previous appearance.

Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James and Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe are among the fresh faces, alongside Isaac James of Alverca in Portugal.

Fulham’s Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael of Vendsyssel FF in Denmark, Igor Wilfred of Kristiansund FC in Norway, Ridwan Abdulrasaq of Al Wasl in the UAE, Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague in Czechia, Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City, Peter Edokpolor of SL Benfica in Portugal, Abubakar Umar of FC Famalicao in Portugal and Abdullahi Umar of Hradec Kralove in Czechia complete the list.

The Russia friendly is expected to give Chelle an opportunity to assess fresh players while blending them with some of the established members of the squad.

Super Eagles 24-man squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Goalkeepers

Stanley Nwabali

Maduka Okoye

Arthur Okonkwo

Defenders

Olaoluwa Aina

Calvin Bassey

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Oluwasemilogo Ajayi

Bruno Onyemaechi

Benjamin Fredricks

Emmanuel Fernandez

Isaac James

Chibuike Nwaiwu

Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi

Alex Iwobi

Raphael Onyedika

Frank Onyeka

Forwards

Victor Osimhen

Ademola Lookman

Moses Simon

Samuel Chukwueze

Akor Adams

Tolu Arokodare

George Ilenikhena

Moses Usor

Super Eagles 24-man squad for Russia friendly

Goalkeepers

Stanley Nwabali

Samuel James

Michael Atata

Defenders

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Benjamin Fredricks

Emmanuel Fernandez

Victory Akpe

Isaac James

Kenneth Igboke

Abdullahi Bewene

Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi

Raphael Onyedika

Chibuzo Nwoko

Stephen Michael

Igor Wilfred

Ridwan Abdulrasaq

Suleiman Mubarak

Aderemi Adeoye

Forwards

Moses Simon

Kelechi Iheanacho

Akor Adams

Peter Edokpolor

Abubakar Umar

Abdullahi Umar

[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']

Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp