Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named separate squads for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and the international friendly against Russia.
The Nigeria Football Federation released the squad lists on Thursday as the Super Eagles prepare to face Madagascar on September 25 in Uyo and Guinea-Bissau on September 29 before taking on Russia in a friendly on October 6.
For the AFCON qualifiers, Chelle has retained several key players, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Stanley Nwabali.
Goalkeepers selected for the qualifiers are Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye and Nwabali, while the defence includes Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina.
The midfield options are Ndidi, Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, while the attacking department features Osimhen, Lookman, Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
Ilenikhena, Isaac James and Okonkwo are among the players receiving their first senior call-ups, while Nwabali and Aina return to the national team setup.
Chelle Names Separate Squad for Russia Friendly
For the October 6 friendly against Russia, Chelle has opted for a significantly different 24-man squad, giving several players an opportunity to stake their claim for future Super Eagles selection.
Nwabali and Ndidi are among the established players retained, alongside Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredricks and Raphael Onyedika.
The squad also includes Kelechi Iheanacho, who returns to the national team setup, as well as several less experienced players.
The Russia-bound squad features goalkeepers Michael Atata, Samuel James and Nwabali, while defenders include Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene.
The midfield group comprises Ndidi, Onyedika, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak and Aderemi Adeoye.
Iheanacho, Simon, Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar make up the forward options.
Nigeria will first turn its attention to the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau before facing Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6.
The two separate squads will give Chelle an opportunity to maintain a strong core for the competitive fixtures while assessing a wider pool of players during the international friendly.
