Osimhen, Lookman Lead As Chelle Names Super Eagles Squad For AFCON Qualifiers

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced separate squads for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the international friendly against Russia in October.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Chelle selected a 24-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze among the established players included.

Nigeria will begin its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

Osimhen has been included despite his recent injury setback, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad. Chelle has also handed first senior invitations to goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, Portugal-based defender Isaac James and forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

The AFCON qualifying squad also includes Maduka Okoye, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Chibuike Nwaiwu in defence.

In midfield, captain Ndidi is joined by Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, while the attacking options include Lookman, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Ilenikhena and Usor.

For the Russia friendly, Chelle has selected a separate 24-man squad for the encounter scheduled for the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.

Ndidi will captain the team, with Nwabali, Simon, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams also retaining their places from the wider selection. Kelechi Iheanacho returns to the Super Eagles setup, while several players have been handed opportunities to make their senior-team debuts.

The Russia squad includes home-based goalkeeper Michael Atata of Ikorodu City and Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James. Other new selections include defenders Kenneth Igboke and Victory Akpe, midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko and several players based across European and Middle Eastern leagues.

The friendly squad also features Stephen Michael of Vendsyssel FF, Igor Wilfred of Kristiansund FC, Ridwan Abdulrasaq of Al Wasl, Suleiman Mubarak of Slavia Prague, Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City and forwards Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.

Chelle’s decision to name separate groups for the competitive qualifiers and the Russia friendly gives several emerging players an opportunity to enter the senior national-team setup, while allowing the squad for the AFCON campaign to retain a core of experienced internationals. The NFF confirmed that the Russia fixture will take place in Nizhny Novgorod on October 6.