Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has selected captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon for the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau.
Nigeria will face Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 25th September, before travelling to Bissau for a Day 2 meeting with the Wild Dogs on Tuesday, 29th September. Both fixtures will take place within the next 12 days.
Also included in Chelle’s squad are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the national team, while goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu have been rewarded for their performances in the Unity Cup. They will compete for places alongside more established members of the squad.
Defender Isaac James, who plays for Alverca FC in Portugal, has received his first call-up for the three-time African champions. Forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor are also included in the squad for the first time.
Nigeria squad for the 2027 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 Ilhenikina (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).