Eric Chelle Names Squads for AFCONQ and Russia Friendly
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named separate squads for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the October international friendly against Russia.
Chelle released two different 24-man squads, with only a few players included in both lists. The AFCON qualifying squad features the established senior internationals, while the squad for the Russia friendly is made up largely of home-based and younger players as Chelle continues to assess his options.
Nigeria will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. The Super Eagles will then take on Russia in an international friendly on October 6, 2026, in Nizhny Novgorod.
AFCON Qualifiers Squad
Goalkeepers
Arthur Okonkwo
Maduka Okoye
Stanley Nwabali
Defenders
Bruno Onyemaechi
Isaac James
Benjamin Fredericks
Emmanuel Fernández
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi
Calvin Bassey
Chibuike Nwaiwu
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Olaoluwa Aina
Midfielders
Alexander Iwobi
Frank Onyeka
Wilfred Ndidi
Raphael Onyeka
Forwards
Ademola Lookman
Samuel Chukwueze
Moses Simon
Akor Adams
Victor Osimhen
Tolu Arokodare
George Ilenikhena
Moses Usor
Russia Friendly Squad
Goalkeepers
Chibuzor Atata
Samuel James
Stanley Nwabali
Defenders
Kenneth Igboke
Isaac James
Benjamin Fredericks
Emmanuel Fernández
Victory Akpe
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Abdullahi Bewane
Midfielders
Wilfred Ndidi
Chibuzo Nwoko
Fumen Michael
Georges Wilfred
Popoola Abdulrasaq
Suleiman Mubarak
Jacob Adeoye
Raphael Onyedika
Forwards
Kelechi Iheanacho
Edokpolor Peter
Moses Simon
Akor Adams
Umar Abubakar
Abdullahi Umar
The decision to use two separate squads gives Chelle an opportunity to rely on his experienced players for the competitive AFCON fixtures while giving emerging talents valuable exposure against Russia.
