13 players receive first Super Eagles invitations as Chelle expands squad options

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has handed first senior invitations to 13 players across Nigeria’s squads for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and international friendly against Russia.

The invitations form part of Chelle’s effort to widen the pool of players available to the national team, with a younger group expected to feature more prominently in the Russia friendly.

The 13 first-time invitees identified in the wider selections are Isaac James, Victory Akpe, Samuel James, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Fumelu, Igor Wilfred, Abdulrasaq Popoola, Mubarak Suleiman, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Peter Edokpolor, Umar Abubakar and Umar Abdullahi.

The players represent clubs across Europe and the Middle East and cover positions ranging from goalkeeper and defence to midfield and attack.

Chelle is using separate selections for Nigeria’s competitive AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau and the friendly against Russia.

For the AFCON qualifying matches, the core of the squad remains built around established internationals including Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Stanley Nwabali.

Victor Osimhen had initially been selected but has since been ruled out of the opening qualifiers because of injury, with Taiwo Awoniyi called up as his replacement.

Nigeria begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign at home against Madagascar before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau