Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has handed 13 players their first senior invitations ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international engagements, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and an international friendly against Russia.
The fresh call-ups cut across the goalkeeping, defence, midfield and attacking departments, with several of the players earning their first opportunity to train and compete with Nigeria’s senior national team.
For the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Chelle included Portugal-based defender Isaac James, Al-Ittihad forward George Ilenikhena and LASK winger Moses Usor among the new additions.
The Russia friendly squad also features a number of players entering the senior setup for the first time, including goalkeeper Samuel James of SJK in Finland, defender Victory Akpe of Basel in Switzerland, midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko of Fulham, Stephen Michael of Vendsyssel FF in Denmark, Igor Wilfred of Kristiansund and Ridwan Abdulrasaq of Al Wasl.
Other first-time invitees include Peter Edokpolor of Benfica, Abubakar Umar of Famalicao and Abdullahi Umar of Hradec Králové.
The move gives Chelle an opportunity to assess emerging Nigerian talents from clubs across Europe and the Middle East as the Super Eagles continue preparations for their forthcoming fixtures.
Nigeria will host Madagascar in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifying fixture in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second match on September 29. The Super Eagles are then scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly in Nizhny Novgorod on October 6.
