Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has called up 13 new players to the senior national team for the first time. The players, drawn from clubs in Europe and the Middle East, include defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers, and forwards. They have been invited for Nigeria's upcoming international friendly against Russia and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The new invitees are part of Chelle's efforts to broaden his options ahead of the upcoming fixtures. Some of the players have been included in Nigeria's squad for the international friendly against Russia, while others are part of the team for the AFCON qualifiers. Chelle is working with separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers and the Russia friendly, giving him an opportunity to assess emerging players.
Among the new invitees is Isaac James, a 22-year-old Alverca defender who is a versatile left-back. James began his career with Garden City Panthers before moving to France and later Portugal, where he has established himself as a regular starter for Alverca. He is included in both Chelle's wider selection and the AFCON squad.
Other new invitees include Victory Akpe, a 19-year-old centre-back who has enjoyed a rapid rise in European football, and Samuel James, a 20-year-old goalkeeper who has established himself in Finland. Chibuzo Nwoko, a 20-year-old left-footed central midfielder, has also been called up after representing England at Under-18 level and switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.
The list of new invitees also includes Stephen Fumelu, a 19-year-old central midfielder who plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF, and Igor Wilfred, a 21-year-old central or defensive midfielder who plays for Norwegian club Kristiansund. Abdulrasaq Popoola, a 19-year-old Al-Wasl midfielder, has also been called up after establishing himself as a regular starter for the UAE club.
In addition to these players, Mubarak Suleiman, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Czech club Slavia Prague, has been invited. Moses Usor, a 24-year-old LASK winger, and George Ilenikhena, a 20-year-old striker who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, are also part of the new invitees. Ilenikhena has committed his international future to the Super Eagles.
The 13 new players will have their first opportunity to establish themselves in the senior Super Eagles set-up. Chelle's latest selections form part of his efforts to broaden the pool of players available to the Super Eagles. The coach had earlier indicated that he would operate with separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers and the Russia friendly, allowing established internationals to handle the competitive fixtures while younger players are assessed for future roles.
Key points
- Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has called up 13 new players to the senior national team.
- The new invitees are part of Chelle's efforts to broaden his options ahead of Nigeria's upcoming international fixtures.
- The players will have their first opportunity to establish themselves in the senior Super Eagles set-up.
