Chelle names 24-Man squads for AFCON Qualifiers, Russia friendly

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...Ndidi, Simon, Nwabali Lead Russia-friendly roster

By Maxwell Kumoye 
 
 
 

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled his squads for Nigeria’s opening two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as an international friendly against Russia in October.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon headline the 24-man squad selected for the AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles will begin their campaign at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, where they host Madagascar’s Barea on Friday, September 25. 

Four days later, Nigeria will travel to Bissau for a Day 2 clash with Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.

Chelle has also recalled several established internationals, including goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.

Unity Cup revelations Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu have also been included, while Portugal-based defender Isaac James, forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor receive their first senior call-ups.

Full Super Eagles Squad AFCON QUALIFIERS

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, Netherlands
✓ George Ilhenikina - Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia
✓ Moses Usor - LASK FC, Austria

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 captain the side, with Nwabali, Moses Simon, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks, Raphael Onyedika and Akor Adams among the players selected.

The Russia-bound squad also contains several fresh faces, including Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James and Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe.

A sextet of midfielders and three forwards are also set to enter the Super Eagles camp for the first time as Chelle continues to expand his options ahead of future international assignments.

The friendly against Russia will provide another opportunity for the coach to assess players beyond the core group involved in the AFCON qualifying campaign.

Full Squad for Russia Friendly

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:
✓ Kelechi Iheanacho - Bursaspor FC, Turkey
✓ Moses Simon - Paris FC, France
✓ Akor Adams - Venezia FC, Italy
✓ Peter Edokpolor - SL Benfica, Portugal
✓ Abubakar Umar - FC Famalicao, Portugal
✓ Abdullahi Umar - Hradec Kralove, Czechia

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