Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle has announced his squad for the Super Eagles’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Chelle has selected a mixture of experienced internation jin88bet.one als and younger players as Nigeria prepare to begin their Group L campaign. ak168app.baby The Super Eagles will host Madagascar in Uyo before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau in their second qualifying fixture.
The squad includes a first senior invitation for Isaac James, with the Alverca defender receiving an opportunity after Zaidu Sanusi was ruled out through ak168app.club injury.
James is among the defenders selected by Chelle as Nigeria begin preparations for their opening two matches. His inclusion provides another option at left-back following Sanusi’s injury.
Arthur Okonkwo has also been included as he continues his return to the Super Eagles ks168app.site setup. The Charlton Athletic goalkeeper joins Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye among the three goalkeepers named in the squad.
The midfield selection features several players with established international experience. Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi are joined by Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, giving Chelle a combina ic88 tion of experience and energy in the centre of the team.
Nigeria’s attacking options include a number of familiar names. Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon are part of the forward group, alongside Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams and ic88 Tolu Arokodare.
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Chelle has also selected younger attacking players, with George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor included in the squad. Fernandez Ballo completes the list of forwards.
The Super Eagles’ qualif ic88 ying campaign carries particular importance because Tanzania, one of the hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, is also in Group L and already has automatic qualifica lr88 tion.
That means the other teams in the group are competing for the qualifying place that remains available.
Nigeria’s first assignment will be against Madagascar in Uyo. Chelle’s lr88 side will then travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second match as they begin their bid to reach the 2027 tournament.
The squad announced by Chelle contains 25 players across the three positions.
In goal, Okonkwo, Okoye and Nwabali have been selected.
The defensive group consists of Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina.
Iwobi, Onyeka, Ndi lr88 di and Onyedika make up the midfield options.
The forwards are Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon, Adams, Osimhen, Arokodare, Ilenikhena, Usor and Bal lr88 lo.
James’ inclusion is one of the notable features of the selection, with the Alverca defender now in line to make his first senior appearance for Nigeria. His opportunity comes as Chelle seeks to cover the absence of Sanusi.
Okonkwo’s return is another feature of the squad, while the presence of established players such as Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi and Ndid op88 i gives the group considerable international experien si88 ce.
Nigeria will now turn their attention to the opening match against Madagascar in Uyo. The trip to Guinea-Bissau will follow, giving Chelle two early fixtures in which to begin shaping his side’s qualifying campaign.
With Tanzania already assured of a place as a co-host, Nigeria and the other teams in Group L will be competing for the available qualification spot. The Super Eagles’ campaign therefore begins with the importance of secu 88v ring results from their opening matches.
Chelle’s first squad for the qualifiers combines returning internationals, established members of the Super Eagles and new options such as James SEXXXXX-VN as Nigeria prepare to start their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
