Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Stanley Nwabali headline Eric Chelle’s 24-man Super Eagles squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.
Nigeria will host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.
The back-to-back fixtures will provide Chelle with an early test as Nigeria begin their campaign to qualify for the AFCON 2027 finals.
Osimhen, Lookman lead Super Eagles attack
Osimhen and Lookman are among the key attacking options named by Chelle, with Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho also included.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi will anchor the midfield alongside Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka, while Nwabali leads the goalkeeping options.
Defensively, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina are among the more established names in the squad.
New faces earn call-up
Chelle has also rewarded several emerging players following their performances for Nigeria.
Unity Cup standouts Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu have earned places in the squad, while Portugal-based defender Isaac James receives his first Super Eagles call-up.
Forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor are also included for the first time.
England-based defender Benjamin Fredricks returns to the squad alongside Aina, adding further options to Chelle’s defensive ranks.
Two matches in four days
The Super Eagles face a demanding schedule, starting with Madagascar in Uyo before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second qualifying fixture four days later.
The fixtures will give Chelle an opportunity to assess his squad in competitive action while targeting maximum points from the opening two matches.
Nigeria are seeking to return to the AFCON finals after winning bronze at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
24-man Super Eagles squad
Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City); Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark); Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl, UAE); Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague, Czechia); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City).
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)