Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi headlining the roster.
The squad also includes goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who returns after a turbulent spell that saw him fall out of contention. England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks also make their return, while Portugal-based defender Isaac James, forward George Ilenikhena and LASK’s Moses Usor earn their first Super Eagles call-ups. Unity Cup revelations goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu are also included.
The Full 24-Man Squad for the 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, The Netherlands), George Ilenikhena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
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Fixtures and a Separate Squad for Russia
Nigeria will host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 25 September, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, 29 September. The Super Eagles will then face Russia in Nizhny Novgorod on 6 October.
Chelle has named a separate squad for the Russia friendly, with several changes aimed at giving other players an opportunity to feature. That squad includes goalkeepers Chibuzor Atata, Samuel James and Stanley Nwabali, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Popoola Abdulrasaq among those handed call-ups. The Russia match will be Nigeria’s second meeting with the country in 16 months, following a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.
Nigeria will be aiming to collect maximum points from both qualifiers as they begin their journey towards the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
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