Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced two separate 23 man squads for Nigeria’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau and the international friendly against Russia, giving a clear indication of how the coach intends to combine immediate competitive demands with a wider assessment of players for the future.
The Nigeria Football Federation released the squad lists on Thursday, September 17, with Nigeria scheduled to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before facing Guinea Bissau on September 29. The Super Eagles will then travel to Russia for an international friendly against the Russian national team on October 6.
Chelle has retained several familiar names for the two AFCON qualifiers, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali. At the same time, the coach has introduced a number of players into the separate Russia squad as he continues to broaden his options.
For the AFCON qualifiers, the three goalkeepers selected are Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali.
The defensive department consists of Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina.
In midfield, Chelle has picked Alexander Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi and Raphael Onyeka.
The attacking options are Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor
The selection gives Chelle a blend of experienced international players and younger options as Nigeria begin their qualification campaign.
The inclusion of Osimhen is particularly notable because the Galatasaray striker has recently been managing his return from injury. His availability could provide Nigeria with an important attacking option as the team begins its pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament.
Lookman, Chukwueze and Simon also give Chelle considerable experience in the wide attacking positions, while Arokodare and Akor Adams provide additional options in the centre-forward role.
The midfield is anchored by Ndidi and Iwobi, two players with extensive experience at international level, while Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyeka provide further options for the central areas.
Chelle has also selected a separate group for the Russia friendly, with several players who were not included in the AFCON qualifying squad.
Chibuzor Atata, Samuel James and Stanley Nwabali are the three goalkeepers selected for the October 6 encounter.
The defenders are Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Bright Osayi Samuel and Abdullahi Bewane.
The midfield group consists of Wilfred Ndidi, Chibuzo Nwoko, Fumen Michael, Georges Wilfred, Popoola Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak, Jacob Adeoye and Raphael Onyedika.
In attack, Chelle has selected Kelechi Iheanacho, Peter Edokpolor, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Umar Abubakar and Abdullahi Umar.
The Russia squad contains several emerging players, reflecting Chelle’s reported intention to use the friendly as an opportunity to assess a wider pool of talent. The coach is also overseeing Nigeria’s Olympic team, making the October fixture potentially useful for monitoring players who could feature in the country’s future Olympic qualifying plans.
Among the notable names in the Russia group is Victory Akpe, the young central defender who has recently attracted attention following his move to Swiss club Basel. Kelechi Iheanacho also returns to the selection for the friendly, while Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi provide some senior experience within the otherwise different squad.
Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks and Emmanuel Fernandez appear in both squad lists, giving them the possibility of being involved across the international assignments depending on the coaching staff’s plans.
The Russia friendly will be played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6. Nigeria and Russia previously met in Moscow in June 2025, when both teams played out a 1-1 draw.
Before thinking about the Russia encounter, however, Chelle’s immediate attention will be on the AFCON qualifiers. Nigeria will host Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea Bissau four days later.
The two matches will provide the first competitive tests of Nigeria’s campaign to reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. With a number of experienced Super Eagles players included, Chelle will have a strong group from which to prepare for the opening qualification fixtures.
The decision to announce two different squads also gives the coach room to assess players beyond his established first team. While the AFCON matches carry competitive importance, the Russia fixture offers an opportunity to examine emerging talent and potentially identify additional options for future Super Eagles assignments.
For Nigerian football supporters, the selection has therefore provided plenty to watch over the coming weeks, from the return of established stars to the emergence of younger players hoping to make their mark on the international stage.
With Madagascar and Guinea Bissau first on the schedule and Russia waiting in October, Chelle now has 46 players spread across two squads as he continues to shape the next phase of the Super Eagles.
