Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle has named a 24-man Super Eagles squad for the two-leg 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series against Tanzania, with the team facing a pivotal stretch in its bid to reach next summer’s finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Established names and returning players
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is included alongside core players Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon for both Group L fixtures. Chelle has also called up goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi and Akor Adams.
Four players have returned to the national setup: Tochukwu Nnadi, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Francis Uzoho. Slavia Prague midfielder Mubarak Suleiman receives his first Super Eagles call-up.
- Ndidi will lead a squad combining established international players with several returning options.
- Suleiman’s selection marks his maiden invitation to the Nigeria senior team.
- Nwabali, Aina, Awoniyi and Adams are among the additional recognised players selected by the Malian coach.
Qualification schedule and Group L stakes
Nigeria will welcome the Taifa Stars for the third matchday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13 November. The sides will meet again four days later in Dar es Salaam for the fourth round of qualifying.
The Super Eagles sit second in Group L and need victories in both matches to strengthen their prospects of securing the group’s sole qualifying berth for the continental tournament.
- Friday, 13 November: Nigeria host Tanzania in Uyo.
- Four days later: Tanzania host Nigeria in Dar es Salaam.
- Nigeria must improve its position to contend for the only Group L place at the AFCON finals.
Full 24-player squad
Goalkeepers
- Arthur Okonkwo — Charlton Athletic, England
- Francis Uzoho — Omonia FC, Cyprus
- Stanley Nwabali — Chippa United, South Africa
Defenders
- Bruno Onyemaechi — Olympiakos, Greece
- Olaoluwa Aina — Nottingham Forest, England
- Benjamin Fredricks — Brentford FC, England
- Oluwasemilogo Ajayi — Hull City, England
- Calvin Bassey — Fulham FC, England
- Chibuike Nwaiwu — Trabzonspor FC, Turkey
- Bright Osayi-Samuel — Birmingham FC, England
- Abdullahi Bewene — Banik Ostrava, Czechia
Midfielders
- Wilfred Ndidi — Besiktas FC, Turkey
- Alex Iwobi — Fulham FC, England
- Alhassan Yusuf — New England Revolution, United States
- Tochukwu Nnadi — Olympique Marseille, France
- Samson Tijani — FK Podbrezova, Slovakia
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru — SS Lazio, Italy
- Mubarak Suleiman — SK Slavia Prague, Czechia
Forwards
- Moses Simon — Paris FC, France
- Taiwo Awoniyi — Coventry City, England
- Akor Adams — Venezia FC, Italy
- Ademola Lookman — Atletico Madrid, Spain
- Tolu Arokodare — Ajax FC, the Netherlands
- Moses Usor — LASK FC, Austria
