The key Super Eagles duo, Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali, have returned to Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for this month’s 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Super Eagles host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, 25th September, before flying to Bissau to take on the Wild Dogs in a Match Day 2 encounter on Tuesday, 29th September.
Osimhen, who missed the Bronze medal match against Egypt back at the AFCON in January, makes a return to the team having missed the Unity Cup and two friendly matches played since then. As for Stanley Nwabali, he returns to the squad after his heroics in Casablanca and having been without a club until July.
Head Coach Éric Chelle has also listed captain Wilfred Ndidi, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi and others in his 24-man roster for both matches within the next 12 days. Also called is goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredrick return to the fold, while Unity Cup revelations goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu will battle for shirts with more established names.
Portugal-based defender Isaac James will link up with the three-time African champions for the first time, as well as forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.
24 SUPER EAGLES FOR AFCON 2027 QUALIFIERS VERSUS BAREA & WILD DOGS
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); George Ilhenikina (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)
