Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with the absence of several established internationals and the inclusion of fresh faces dominating the conversation.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi headlines the selection alongside Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina as the Franco-Malian tactician prepares his side for two important encounters that could significantly shape Nigeria’s qualification campaign.
However, the biggest talking points surrounding the announcement are the omissions of Victor Osimhen, Maduka Okoye and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Osimhen’s absence is particularly significant for the three-time African champions. The Galatasaray striker is unavailable after sustaining a knee injury during a UEFA Champions League encounter against Stuttgart, which subsequently required surgery. His absence leaves a considerable gap in Nigeria’s attacking department, considering his goalscoring ability, physical presence and influence in important matches.
Without their leading striker, Chelle will have to explore alternative attacking combinations, with Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Moses Simon and Moses Usor expected to provide the attacking options.
Lookman remains one of Nigeria’s most influential attacking players, while Arokodare offers another physical presence in the final third. Awoniyi’s inclusion also provides the coach with additional experience and an alternative attacking approach.
Another notable omission is goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who has been left out following a difficult period with Italian club Udinese.
Udinese have struggled for consistency in Serie A, suffering eight defeats in nine league matches. The goalkeeper also conceded five goals in the club’s 5-2 defeat to Roma on October 31.
Okoye’s absence has paved the way for Francis Uzoho’s return to the national team setup. Uzoho joins Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo as the three goalkeepers selected for the November fixtures.
The decision has nevertheless generated conversations among Nigerian football supporters, particularly regarding the competition for the national team’s goalkeeping position.
Iheanacho’s omission is arguably another surprising decision, considering his impressive scoring form with Turkish side Bursaspor. The former Leicester City and Sevilla forward has reportedly scored 17 league goals, yet his performances have not been enough to secure a place in Chelle’s latest selection.
He also found the back of the net during Nigeria’s 3-3 international friendly draw against Russia in October.
Meanwhile, Chelle has introduced new options in midfield, handing Tochukwu Nnadi an opportunity to make his mark in the senior national team setup.
The Marseille midfielder is among the interesting inclusions in a midfield department that also features Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf, Samson Tijani and Suleiman Mubarak.
Dele-Bashiru and Yusuf return to the squad, while Tijani and Mubarak provide additional options as Chelle looks to strengthen his midfield depth.
Ndidi and Iwobi are expected to play important roles in the middle of the park, with their experience and understanding of international football potentially proving valuable during the two encounters.
Defensively, Nigeria will rely on the experience of Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi. Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Abdullahi Bewene complete the defensive selection.
The inclusion of Nwaiwu and Bewene also provides opportunities for the coaching crew to assess additional defensive options as Nigeria continues its search for the right balance across the team.
Beyond the individual selections, the urgency surrounding the fixtures cannot be overstated.
Nigeria currently sit second in Group L with three points from their opening two qualifying matches, behind Guinea-Bissau, who have accumulated six points.
The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo but subsequently suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau, leaving them with little room for further mistakes.
The situation makes the upcoming double-header particularly important. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 tournament as one of the co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda, meaning the remaining qualification opportunity in the group is effectively the battle among the other participating nations.
Nigeria will first welcome Tanzania to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Zanzibar for the return encounter at the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
Chelle will be hoping his players can deliver convincing performances in both matches and collect maximum points to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the qualification race.
For a country with three AFCON titles and a rich history in African football, missing out on another continental championship would be a major disappointment.
The pressure is therefore on Chelle to get his selection and tactical approach right, particularly with Osimhen unavailable and several attacking responsibilities expected to fall on Lookman, Arokodare and the other forwards.
With the November international window approaching, the question now is whether the new-look Super Eagles squad can respond to the pressure, overcome Tanzania and put Nigeria’s qualification campaign back on track.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the tournament scheduled to take place next summer.
Nigeria’s 24-Man Squad for the Tanzania Fixtures
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Akor Adams (Venezia), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Moses Usor (LASK).
