Chelle set to name two Eagles squads

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle is set to name two separate squads this week for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau and the subsequent friendly against Russia, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Chelle is expected to retain his established internationals for the two competitive fixtures, while largely using U-23 players for the October 6 meeting with Russia as he assesses options for the future.

Nigeria will open their AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The qualifiers are expected to feature the core of the Super Eagles squad, with at least one new face also reportedly in line for a call-up as Chelle continues to assess his options.

The Russia friendly, however, is expected to provide a different opportunity for the coach, who is also in charge of Nigeria’s Olympic team.

A largely U-23 squad is being lined up for the fixture, with the game set to serve as part of Chelle’s assessment ahead of the forthcoming Olympic qualifiers while giving emerging players exposure to senior international football.

Several young players have reportedly already received invitations for the Russia encounter, with the coach keen to assess them against quality European opposition.

The friendly will be played at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, exactly one week after Nigeria’s second AFCON qualifier in Guinea-Bissau. The Super Eagles and Russia last met in Moscow in June 2025, playing out a 1-1 draw.

Chelle’s decision to operate with two squads allows him to keep his established players focused on the immediate task of securing a strong start to the AFCON campaign while also assessing players who could become part of the senior setup in the future.

The squad announcements will therefore offer a clearer indication of Chelle’s plans for both the Super Eagles’ immediate AFCON qualification campaign and his longer-term rebuilding of the national team.

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