Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has omitted Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and in-form Bursaspor forward Kelechi Iheanacho from his squad for this month’s 2027 AFCONQ doubleheader against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, www.aclsports.com reports.
The tactician has called up 24 players for the important fixture. In goal, Chelle has kept faith with Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo, while there is a return for Francis Uzoho. Meanwhile, the head coach, who promised to decide in the last international window, has opted to leave Maduka Okoye out of his squad for the two games.
In attack, striker Victor Osimhen is already ruled out of the games due to injury, and Chelle has stuck with Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi, but Kelechi Iheanacho misses out. Midfielder Frank Onyeka has also been overlooked, while there is a recall for US-based Yusuf Alhassan, Marseille-based Tochukwu Nnadi, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Teenage sensation Suleiman Mubarak makes the squad for the first time, while midfielder Samson Tijani, who featured at the Unity Cup earlier this year, makes a return to the team.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, who are playing catch-up to Guinea-Bissau in the qualifiers, will host the Taifa Stars in Uyo on Friday, 13th November before travelling to Tanzania for the return leg four days later.
LIST OF PLAYERS FOR 2027 AFCON QUALIFIER AGAINST TANZANIA
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredrick (Brentford), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Yusuf Alhassan (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Venezia FC), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC), Moses Usor (LASK), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry FC).
