Super Eagles Head Coach Éric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon in his 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau.
Nigeria 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 their second qualifying encounter on Tuesday, September 29.
Chelle also called up goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad, while goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, who impressed during the Unity Cup, will compete for places alongside more established members of the team.
Portugal-based defender Isaac James has received his first Super Eagles call-up, alongside forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.
The goalkeepers selected for the qualifiers are Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali.
The defenders are Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina.
Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyedika and Onyeka make up the midfield, while Simon, Osimhen, Adams, Chukwueze, Lookman, Arokodare, Ilhenikina and Usor complete the squad.
Chelle has also named a separate 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.
Ndidi will again captain the team, with Nwabali, Simon, Osayi-Samuel, Fredricks, Onyedika and Adams among the established Super Eagles players selected for the encounter.
The Russia squad also provides opportunities for several new faces, including Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James and Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe.
Michael Atata and Samuel James join Nwabali as the three goalkeepers for the friendly.
The defenders are Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene.
Chelle selected an expanded midfield group comprising Ndidi, Onyedika, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak and Aderemi Adeoye.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Simon, Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar make up the forward line for the Russia encounter.
The two squads will give Chelle an opportunity to pursue Nigeria’s AFCON qualification campaign with a largely established group before assessing several emerging players against Russia in October.
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