Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has released his squad for Nigeria's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania. The list published from the Nigeria Football Federation features 24 players, according to Punch.
The team will be without talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, who recently underwent knee surgery. Winger Samuel Chukwueze is also sidelined while recuperating from hip surgery, while goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Kelechi Iheanacho did not make the cut.
Chelle has, however, welcomed back several key names following their fitness troubles. Midfielders Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi are back in the fold, alongside goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. Slavia Prague midfielder Mubarak Suleiman also earned his maiden senior national team invitation.
Regular stalwarts captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi and Moses Simon anchor the squad. They are joined by goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo, as well as outfield players Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Abdullahi Bewene, Samson Tijani, Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor.
Nigeria are under pressure to produce results as they currently sit second in Group L with three points from their first two matches. The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar before falling to a 3-0 defeat against Guinea-Bissau.
With Tanzania already assured of a tournament berth as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, only one qualification ticket remains up for grabs in the group.
The first clash takes place on Friday, November 13, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Sources disagree slightly on the exact venue for the return leg on Tuesday, November 17, with reports pointing to either Dar es Salaam or the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar.
