Super Eagles AFCON 2027Q Roster Shocker: Chelle Unveils Squad, Explains Osimhen Pick, Yusuf Omission!

The Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has officially unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header. This September, Nigeria will face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with Chelle also naming a separate squad for an international friendly against Russia. The AFCON qualifying roster is the primary focus, featuring prominent players such as captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Moses Simon, all set to participate in these crucial fixtures.

Nigeria is scheduled to host Madagascar's Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. Following this, the team will travel to Bissau to confront Guinea-Bissau's Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29. These matches mark the beginning of Nigeria's campaign to qualify for the 2027 AFCON tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the Super Eagles aiming for maximum points.

The goalkeeping department sees Stanley Nwabali retaining his position, joined by Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo, who impressed in the Unity Cup. Chelle has brought back England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks, and the squad also includes Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi. Unity Cup revelation Chibuike Nwaiwu will vie for a spot alongside these more established defenders, while Portugal-based Isaac James receives his first Super Eagles call-up. Emmanuel Fernandez is also listed among the defenders.

In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi will lead alongside Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, and Frank Onyeka. A notable absentee from the squad is midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who will miss the qualifiers due to a hamstring injury. Yusuf, who debuted for the Super Eagles in the 2024 AFCON and played a key role in Nigeria's 2026 Unity Cup victory, sustained the injury while playing for New England Revolution and is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

The attacking contingent boasts a strong lineup, featuring Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, and Tolu Arokodare. Furthermore, young forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor have earned their maiden invitations to the Super Eagles.

Victor Osimhen's inclusion in the squad came as a surprise given he has been nursing a right-groin injury since September 4. The Galatasaray striker suffered a moderate-to-severe strain with bleeding in the right adductor muscle group, an injury initially expected to keep him out until after the international break. He missed several club matches and was still training separately just days before the squad announcement. Chelle's decision to pick an injured Osimhen is considered a gamble, aimed at keeping open the possibility of having Nigeria's first-choice striker available later in the international window. It also allows the medical and technical teams to directly assess his recovery and leverage his experience within the camp, even if he cannot start. Chelle has also ensured depth by including other capable centre-forward options in Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Akor Adams (Venezia), and George Ilenikhena (Al-Ittihad), all of whom have shown strong form for their respective clubs.

The Super Eagles will look to make a robust start to their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, with Chelle hoping the main squad performs well to secure the crucial six points from the two demanding encounters. Players named in the separate friendly squad for Russia will also aim to impress the coaching staff.