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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out several key players, including Victor Osimhen and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, from his squad for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)confirmed on Wednesday that Chelle selected a 23-man squad for the matches, maintaining a core of experienced players while introducing new faces.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi returns to lead the team, with Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, who is expected to spearhead the attack in Osimhen’s absence. also included.
The omission of Osimhen and Nwabali shows a broader reshuffle of the squad that featured at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as Chelle appears to be assessing new options ahead of the games against Iran and Jordan.
Several other players from the AFCON squad were also dropped, including goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Muhammed Usman, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi, and forwards Salim Fago Lawal and Cyriel Dessers.
The Super Eagles will face Iran on March 27 and Jordan on March 31, with both matches scheduled for Antalya, Turkey, after being moved from Amman due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Chelle has recalled Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who is expected to compete for the starting role, while Adeleye Adebayo also returns, and Francis Uzoho completes the goalkeeping options. In defence, Semi Ajayi has been recalled, while Scotland-based Emmanuel Fernandez receives his first senior call-up as part of efforts to strengthen the backline.
The midfield retains a familiar structure, with Ndidi, Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka joined by Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. In attack, Chelle has opted for multiple options, including Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Germany-based Philip Otele and Belgium-based Collins Yira Sor have also earned their first invitations following impressive club performances.
The final squad includes Maduka Okoye, Adeleye Adebayo and Francis Uzoho as goalkeepers; Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu and Emmanuel Fernandez in defence; Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in midfield; and Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor in attack.
