Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has not included goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Kelechi Iheanacho in his 24-man squad for Nigeria’s qualifying matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Tanzania.
These omissions are major talking points in the squad announced for the two matches set for 13 and 17 November.
Okoye is missing after a tough time at his Italian club Udinese, while Iheanacho has been scoring well for Turkish side Bursaspor.
Chelle has picked Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo as his goalkeepers for these matches.
Okoye was part of Nigeria’s squad for the September qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. But now, he is not in the latest selection after some questions about his availability for national team duties.
In September, the goalkeeper joined the camp late after attending Udinese’s third-kit presentation in Milan during Fashion Week. Chelle said he allowed Okoye to attend that club event.
The latest drop comes as Udinese struggles in Serie A. Okoye was in goal on Friday when his team lost 2-1 away to Akor Adams’ Venezia, conceding twice and leaving Udinese at the bottom of the table.
This defeat was Udinese’s eighth in their last nine league matches. Okoye also conceded five goals in the club’s 5-2 loss to Roma on 31 October.
On the other hand, Venezia ended a streak of three straight defeats with this win. Adams played the full match but did not score.
Iheanacho’s absence is also notable, considering his recent form with Bursaspor.
The former Leicester City forward has been on fire in Turkey, scoring 17 league goals for his club. He also netted in Nigeria’s 3-3 friendly draw against Russia in October.
But his return to form wasn’t enough to secure a spot in Chelle’s squad for the Tanzania matches.
Iheanacho played in a separate group for the Russia friendly, but he has now been left out of the coach’s latest competitive selection.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Calvin Bassey are among the key players kept for the qualifiers.
The squad also includes defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and midfielder Mubarak Suleiman, while Arthur Okonkwo remains among the goalkeepers.
The full squad is:
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 will face Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13 November. They will then travel to Zanzibar for the return match at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday, 17 November.
The Super Eagles are aiming for maximum points from these two games to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
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