Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has called up 13 new players for their first senior invitations. This move is part of his plan to expand options for the national team.
The new players come mostly from clubs in Europe and the Middle East. They include defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers, and forwards. Some will play in Nigeria’s friendly against Russia, while others will join the squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Chelle is creating different squads for the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. He is also preparing for the friendly against Russia. This friendly offers a chance to check younger players who could join the senior team.
Here are the 13 players getting their first senior call-ups:
Isaac James
Isaac James is a 22-year-old defender from Alverca. He can play as a left-back, wing-back, or left centre-back. James started with Garden City Panthers, then moved through France, and finally to Portugal. He has become a regular starter at Alverca. He is part of both Chelle’s wider selection and the AFCON squad.
Victory Akpe
Victory Akpe is a 19-year-old centre-back making waves in European football. This tall defender, about 1.95m, moved from Lithuania to Hungary before joining Swiss club Basel in 2026. His size and skill in playing from the back earned him his first senior call-up.
The newly invited Super Eagles players. Photo: NG Super Eagles
Samuel James
Samuel James is a goalkeeper for SJK and is also getting his first senior call-up. This 20-year-old shot-stopper came up through Mavlon FC and played for Nigeria at youth level with the Flying Eagles. He has made a name for himself in Finland and is now part of Chelle’s goalkeeping options.
Chibuzo Nwoko
Chibuzo Nwoko is a 20-year-old left-footed central midfielder. He started in Fulham’s academy after spending time with Chelsea’s youth team. He has played for England at Under-18 level and just made his senior club debut. Nwoko has switched his international allegiance to Nigeria and is ready for his first Super Eagles game.
Stephen Fumelu
Stephen Fumelu, also known as Stephen Michael, is a 19-year-old central midfielder. He plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF, where he joined in 2025. Fumelu is known for his energy as a box-to-box midfielder. His first senior call-up gives Chelle a chance to look at new midfield options.
Igor Wilfred
Igor Wilfred, 21, plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Kristiansund in Norway. He has become a regular starter in the Norwegian league and has now earned his first Super Eagles call-up.
Abdulrasaq Popoola
Abdulrasaq Popoola, also known as Ridwan Popoola, is a 19-year-old midfielder for Al-Wasl. He stands about 1.91m tall. Popoola started in Nigerian grassroots football before moving to Hungary, where he played for Kisvárda, then joined Al-Wasl in 2026. He usually plays as a defensive midfielder and is a regular starter for his club.
The newly invited Super Eagles players. Photo: NG Super Eagles
Mubarak Suleiman
Mubarak Suleiman is a 19-year-old attacking midfielder for Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic. He came from the Right2Win Academy in Abuja and has impressed in the UEFA Youth League. Suleiman scored after his senior debut for Slavia and recently extended his contract until 2031. He is now in line for his first senior game for Nigeria.
Moses Usor
Moses Usor is a 24-year-old winger for LASK. He is one of the more experienced players among the new invitees. The left-footed forward mainly plays from the right wing and helped LASK with a league and cup double. Usor is also included in the squad for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers.
George Ilenikhena
George Ilenikhena is a 20-year-old striker from Lagos. He grew up in France with Amiens, then moved to Royal Antwerp and Monaco. He scored in the Champions League before joining Saudi club Al-Ittihad in 2026. Ilenikhena can represent both Nigeria and France, but he has chosen to play for the Super Eagles and is also part of the AFCON squad.
Peter Edokpolor
Peter Edokpolor is a 19-year-old forward for Benfica. He is a tall centre-forward who can also play on the wing. Edokpolor joined Benfica from Galadima FC and has moved through the club’s Under-23 and B teams. He has now got his first senior call-up from Nigeria.
The newly invited Super Eagles players. Photo: NG Super Eagles
Umar Abubakar
Umar Abubakar is a 20-year-old striker playing for Famalicão in Portugal. He is about 1.90m tall. Abubakar scored 21 goals during a loan at Jong Gent before getting a permanent move to Famalicão. His performances have earned him a first Super Eagles call-up.
Umar Abdullahi
Umar Abdullahi, also known as Abdullahi Umar, is a 19-year-old striker for Hradec Králové. He made a big impression at Under-19 level by scoring 25 goals in one season. He has now moved to senior football in the Czech Republic, playing in league matches and European qualifiers. This is his first senior international call-up.
Chelle’s new selections show his effort to widen the pool of players for the Super Eagles. The coach has said he will work with different squads for the AFCON qualifiers and the friendly against Russia. This way, he can keep experienced players for competitive games while checking younger talents for the future. The AFCON squad has established names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and Ola Aina. The Russia squad includes many emerging talents alongside some senior players.
For these 13 new invitees, this call-up offers a chance to make a mark in the senior Super Eagles team.
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