While there has been speculations on his future following Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Super Eagles’ Coach, Eric Chelle, has started the process of rebuilding the senior national team to, according to officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), ensure that it is ready for future challenges.

Since Nigeria failed in its bid to qualify for the expanded World Cup billed to hold in the United States, Canada and Mexico, there has been speculations that Chelle was planning to dump the Super Eagles for Morocco, which recently parted ways with their manager, as well as some North African clubs.

But the NFF has since quashed the speculations, saying that the Franco-Malian will see out the one year remaining in his contract.

With Nigeria not in the North American party, the NFF tasked Chelle to bring a fresh impetus into the Super Eagles and today’s international friendly against Iran and Tuesday’s game against Jordan are part of the process.

Chelle invited 23 players for the games, but he is making do with 22 following Calvin Bassey’s withdrawal from the squad due to injury. Bassey joined top striker, Victor Osimhen, who was not included in the team due to injury.

Chelle’s team comprises some veterans and some new boys that are ambitious and eager to make their mark on the international stage.

Led by Skipper Wilfred Ndidi and the duo of Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon, who have 96 caps and 95 caps respectively, the Super Eagles have enough firepower to withstand the World Cup bound Iran.

Clubless regular number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, is out of the game, but in goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, Chelle has enough experience to safeguard Nigeria’s goalpost.

Outfield, Iwobi and Somon are complemented by Turkey’s leading goal scorer this season, Paul Onuachu, as well as Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Also in the team are Morocco 2025 AFCON stalwarts Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke. And then there are the new boys on the block, Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez (a defender) and forwards Collins Yira Sor and Philip Otele.

The clash with Iran’s Team Melli will start by 4.00 p.m. Turkey time (2.00 p.m. in Nigeria), while the encounter with Jordan will begin by 8.00 p.m. Turkish time (6.00 p.m. in Nigeria) on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles are camped at the Bellis Deluxe Hotel Antalya.

Looking forward to a good beginning to his international career, Yira Collins Sor, who is debuting in the team, says he is ready to contribute his quota to Nigeria’s renaissance in world football.

Sor, who currently plays for KRC Genk in the Belgian Pro League, described himself as “a player with a lot of pace and a player that loves the link-up play. So, I hope I can give this to the team and together we can achieve more.”

He said playing for a team he was used to watching on television is a dream come true, adding that he will make good use of the opportunity presented by his maiden call up.

He said: “Just two months ago I was watching the team at the AFCON on the television and I was nervous. Every game they played I was supporting the team and two months later I got called up to join this squad.”

He said he was shocked when he received his invitation to the team, “but thank God for everything. You know to represent Nigeria of over 200 million people is something I really see to be an honour; it’s a privilege that I must not take for granted and I have to push to the maximum.”

Nigeria will be targeting a strong performance against the Asian side as both teams continue their build-up towards future international competitions.

The two nations last met at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they played out a goalless draw in the group stage.

Meanwhile, Iran’s centre back, Hossein Abarghouei, has described today’s game against Nigeria as a good test for his country ahead of the World Cup.

Abarghouei, who said that his side is well-equiped to compete successfully with Nigeria, told Tasnim News Agency, that they are not distracted by the war between their country and the combination of the United States and Israel.

He described the atmosphere in their camp as positive, noting that the upcoming fixtures are crucial to Iran’s long-term ambitions.

“Thank God, our training is going very well and we have a very good camp. I hope we can make people happy by getting good results against Nigeria and Costa Rica, because this game is an important step towards participating in the World Cup,” Abarghouei said.

The centre-back also dismissed concerns over a lack of collective training time, insisting that players have maintained fitness levels despite recent disruptions.

“In the short time we came to Turkey, we practiced well. All the national team players are also professionals and it is not like they have only rested since the war began,” he added.

“All the kids have been practicing individually. Our physical condition is good and we can compete with Nigeria.”