Chelle Keeps His Promise: Hamburg Forward Otele Set for Super Eagles Call-Up for Turkey Friendlies

Posted : 18 March 2026

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is making good on his word. The Nigerian Football Federation has sent an official invitation letter to German Bundesliga club Hamburg for striker Philip Otele, with the 26-year-old set to be included in the squad for the upcoming March international window.

Chelle had previously informed Otele that he would need to assess him in a friendly before considering him for competitive action.

That opportunity has now arrived. The Super Eagles are scheduled to face 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound teams Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey, after the four-nation tournament was moved from Amman due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Nigeria face Iran on Friday, March 27, before taking on first-time World Cup qualifiers Jordan four days later.

Otele was named in Nigeria's 54-man provisional AFCON 2025 squad but was not expected to make the final cut at that stage. His January deadline-day move to Hamburg has since changed his fortunes. The forward has started five of seven possible Bundesliga matches since joining, registering one assist and showing the consistent club form that earned Chelle's attention.

A minor illness kept him out of Hamburg's training session on Tuesday ahead of their Bundesliga fixture against Borussia Dortmund. However, the issue is not considered serious and he was expected back in training by Wednesday.

The call-up comes as Nigeria rebuild following their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification exit. DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in the African play-off final last November after a 1-1 draw, and the NFF's subsequent appeal to FIFA was rejected. The Turkey friendlies now represent an important window for Chelle to test new options ahead of the next qualification cycle.

The Jordan fixture would mark the first-ever senior international meeting between the two nations. Jordan have been drawn into a group featuring defending champions Argentina, alongside Algeria and Austria, for their historic debut at the 2026 World Cup.

For Otele, the call-up letter is more than a formality: it is the fulfilment of a promise and the start of a potential long-term international career in the green and white.

Chelle Keeps His Promise: Hamburg Forward Otele Set for Super Eagles Call-Up for Turkey Friendlies

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