Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon are among the key players selected for the two fixtures. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the squad on September 17.
Nigeria will begin its qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25.
The Super Eagles will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29, in their second Group L fixture.
Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo were selected, while the defensive options include Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Semi Ajayi.
In midfield, Chelle has retained Ndidi, Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika.
The attacking department features Osimhen, Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
Ilenikhena, Isaac James and Moses Usor are among the players receiving opportunities with the senior national team, with Isaac James earning his first senior invitation. CAF also confirmed that Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena have received first senior call-ups.
Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad, while Nwabali is also back after missing Nigeria’s recent international assignments.
Osimhen’s inclusion comes despite an injury that has kept the Galatasaray striker out of action in recent weeks. His selection means the striker remains part of Chelle’s plans for the opening qualifiers, subject to his fitness ahead of the matches.
Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania, as one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON, already has automatic qualification, leaving the remaining teams to compete for the available qualifying place.
Super Eagles Squad for Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika.
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor.
