Super Eagles: Chelle Unveils 24-Man Squad Featuring Osimhen, Ilenikhena for Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau

Éric Chelle at Super Eagles press conference ahead of AFCON qualifiers

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.

The Nigeria Football Federation released the list on Thursday. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali are among the established names selected.

Osimhen’s inclusion comes despite the Galatasaray striker having missed roughly two weeks through injury. His fitness will be closely monitored as the team prepares for the qualifiers.

Chelle has handed first senior call-ups to George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor and Portugal-based defender Isaac James. Ilenikhena, who plays for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, previously represented France at youth level before committing his international future to Nigeria. Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad, while Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu—who impressed during the Unity Cup—have retained their places.

Full 24-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers

Goalkeepers:

Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)

Defenders:

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Isaac James (Alverca), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest)

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt), Frank Onyeka (Coventry City)

Forwards:

Moses Simon (Paris FC), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Akor Adams (Venezia), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), George Ilenikhena (Al Ittihad), Moses Usor (LASK)

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on 25 September before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Chelle has also named a separate 24-man squad for Nigeria’s friendly against Russia on 6 October in Nizhny Novgorod. That list includes Kelechi Iheanacho and several less-established players, giving the coach a chance to assess a wider pool of options.

These AFCON qualifiers will be Nigeria’s first competitive matches since the 2025 tournament in Morocco. The focus now turns to fitness, especially for Osimhen, and how the new call-ups settle into the group as Chelle continues shaping his squad.