Chelle Blends Experience, New Faces for Super Eagles AFCON, Russia Assignments

Posted : 18 September 2026

Super Eagles Head Coach Éric Chelle has retained a strong core of experienced players while introducing several new faces for Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Chelle's 24-man squad includes captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.

The Super Eagles will begin their qualifying campaign against Madagascar's Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face the Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks, as well as midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, are also included in the squad.

Chelle has also handed opportunities to Unity Cup performers Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu, who will compete for places alongside more established members of the squad.

Portugal-based defender Isaac James receives his first senior invitation, while forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor have also earned maiden call-ups. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also confirmed first senior call-ups for Okonkwo, James and Ilenikhena.

24 Super Eagles for AFCON 2027 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).

Chelle has also named a separate 24-man squad for Nigeria's international friendly against Russia, scheduled for October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the squad on September 17.

Captain Ndidi leads the squad, which also features Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Fredricks, Onyedika, Simon and Adams.

The Russia-bound squad provides opportunities for players seeking their first experience with the senior national team, with Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James, Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe and several midfielders and forwards receiving maiden invitations.

24 Super Eagles for Friendly Against Russia

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).

The two squads underline Chelle's approach of combining established Super Eagles players with emerging talents as Nigeria prepares for the AFCON qualifying campaign and the subsequent international engagement against Russia. The NFF confirmed that the Russia friendly will take place on Tuesday, October 6.

Chelle Blends Experience, New Faces for Super Eagles AFCON, Russia Assignments

24 Super Eagles for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

24 Super Eagles for Friendly Against Russia

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