Get Guardian on GoogleSuper Eagles manager Eric Chelle has named his 24-man squad for the crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania, with a couple of notable names sidelined.
The Franco-Malian tactician kept the core of the squad that prosecuted matchdays 1 and 2 of the qualification series against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in September.
Kelechi Iheanacho did not make the squad dspite blistering form in the Turkish 1st division, while Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams retained their spots in the squad.
Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika also missed out on Chelle’s squad for the double-header as the Super Eagles head coach handed debut invitations to Under-23 duo Tijani Samson and Suleiman Muburak.
Alhassan Yusuf, Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru return to the squad after a period of absence, while Alex Iwobi and captain Wilfred Ndidi were included.
Victor Osimhen is unavailable for the November window of the qualification after picking up a knee injury in a Champions League fixture for Galatasaray against Stuttgart.
Udinese’s goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, did not make the list as Francis Uzoho returns to the squad while Arthur Okonkwo and Francis Nwabali got invitations for the crucial qualifier.
Super Eagles AFCON Qualifier Squad List for Tanzania
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford, England); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille, France); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy); Mubarak Suleiman (Slavia Prague, Czechia).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax, Netherlands); Moses Usor (LASK, Austria).
Nigeria’s qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations is threatened following the shock loss to Guinea-Bissau on matchday 2, making the double-header against the Taifa Stars a must-win.
Tanzania, having qualified as one of the host nations of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, automatically means only one team will qualify in Group L.
Guinea-Bissau currently top the group with six points after two matches, while the Super Eagles have 3 points. The Super Eagles last met Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman sealed a 2-1 win in Nigeria’s Group C opener in Fes two days before Christmas.
