Nigeria name Osimhen and Lookman in 2027 AFCON qualifying squad

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is included alongside Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon. Defenders Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel are also part of the squad.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been recalled, while England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredrick and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali return to the group.

Portugal-based defender Isaac James has received his first call-up for the Super Eagles. Forwards George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor have also been selected for the first time.

Nigeria will begin their campaign against Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. They will then travel to Bissau to play Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs in a Matchday 2 fixture on Tuesday, September 29.

The squad includes three goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo of Charlton Athletic, Maduka Okoye of Udinese Calcio and Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United.

The defenders selected are Bruno Onyemaechi of Olympiakos, Isaac James of Alverca FC, Benjamin Fredrick of Brentford FC, Emmanuel Fernandez of Glasgow Rangers, Semi Ajayi of Hull City, Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC, Chibuike Nwaiwu of Trabzonspor FC, Bright Osayi-Samuel of Birmingham FC and Olaoluwa Aina of Nottingham Forest.

Ndidi, who plays for Besiktas FC, is joined in midfield by Fulham FC’s Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika of Eintracht Frankfurt and Frank Onyeka of Coventry City.

The forward line features Moses Simon of Paris FC, Galatasaray FC striker Osimhen, Akor Adams of Venezia FC, Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, Lookman of Atletico Madrid, Tolu Arokodare of Ajax FC, George Ilenikhena of Al Ittihad and Moses Usor of LASK FC.

The fixtures will form Nigeria’s opening two matches in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.