Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad For Tanzania Games As Osimhen Misses Out

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has announced a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Maduka Okoye among the notable absentees.

According to a report by ESPN on Sunday, November 8, 2026, the squad is led by captain Wilfred Ndidi and includes several established players, such as Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon.

Nigeria will host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Zanzibar for the return fixture at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.

The Super Eagles are second in Group L, where only one team will secure qualification for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Chelle has selected three goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo, Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali.

The defensive options include Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Fredricks, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene.

Ndidi, Iwobi, Alhassan Yusuf, Tochukwu Nnadi, Samson Tijani, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Mubarak Suleiman make up the midfield selection.

In attack, Chelle has called up Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor.

Osimhen is unavailable because of injury, while Iheanacho has also been overlooked despite his impressive scoring record in the Turkish second division. Udinese goalkeeper Okoye is another notable omission.

The absence of Osimhen and Iheanacho leaves Chelle with several options as he considers who should lead Nigeria’s attack.

Awoniyi, Adams and Arokodare are among the candidates for the central striking position, while Lookman and Simon offer attacking options from the flanks.

Usor also earns a place after contributing an assist in the Champions League, while Arokodare arrives following a brace for Ajax.

The two matches will be important for Nigeria’s qualification hopes, with Chelle facing the task of finding an effective attacking combination without some of the country’s most recognised forwards.

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