Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has released a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nigeria will face Madagascar on September 25 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo before travelling to Bissau to take on Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The squad includes several established players, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon among those selected.
Defenders Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredricks also return to the squad after injury setbacks, while Portugal-based defender Isaac James receives his first senior invitation.
Other players named include Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Emmanuel Fernandez and Frank Onyeka.
Chelle also included Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
Super Eagles are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania are co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda and have an automatic qualification place, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau to contest the available qualifying spot.
Nigeria will be hoping to begin the qualifying campaign with positive results as Chelle continues preparations for the tournament.
