Nwabali returns as Chelle names Super Eagles squads for AFCON qualifiers, Russia friendly

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has recalled goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and retained the core of Nigeria’s senior team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Chelle named a 24-man squad on Thursday for Nigeria’s opening two Group L fixtures, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi also included.

Nigeria will begin their qualifying campaign against Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, 25 September, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs four days later on Tuesday, 29 September.

Nwabali’s return is among the notable features of the squad after the Chippa United goalkeeper was left out of Nigeria’s recent international assignments.

Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo complete the goalkeeping options. At the same time, the defence includes Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Olaoluwa Aina.

Aina and Fredricks return to the fold, while Okonkwo and Nwaiwu, who impressed during Nigeria’s Unity Cup campaign, retain their places.

Portugal-based Isaac James is included for the first time, while George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor are also handed senior-team opportunities.

In midfield, Chelle has Ndidi, Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka at his disposal.

The attack features Osimhen, Lookman, Simon, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Ilenikhena and Usor.

The squad comes as Nigeria begin another qualification campaign after finishing third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The Super Eagles defeated Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final, with Osimhen and Adams scoring the goals.

Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. Because Tanzania already have an automatic place as one of the tournament hosts, Nigeria’s group has a different qualification dynamic: the highest-ranked qualifying side among Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau will take the available finals place.

Nwabali, Ndidi lead Russia-bound squad

Chelle has also named a separate 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia on Tuesday, 6 October.

Nwabali and Ndidi headline the squad, alongside Simon, Akor Adams, Benjamin Fredricks, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Onyedika.

The squad has a markedly different composition, with several players receiving their first senior invitation.

Goalkeeper Michael Atata of Ikorodu City joins Finland-based Samuel James and Nwabali. At the same time, Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene form the defensive options.

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Ndidi and Onyedika are joined in midfield by Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak and Aderemi Adeoye.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Simon, Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar make up the forward line.

The Russia fixture will be Nigeria’s second meeting with the Russian national team in 16 months. The sides drew 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025, with Tolu Arokodare scoring Nigeria’s equaliser after Russia had taken the lead through a Semi Ajayi own goal.

The October friendly is scheduled exactly one week after Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau and will allow Chelle to assess a wider pool of players.