Chelle names 24 players for Nigeria's AFCON qualifiers

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has picked a 24-man squad for Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Tanzania.

A statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday confirmed the squad. Team captain Wilfred Ndidi leads the squad, which also includes defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams.

Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Arthur Okonkwo, and Francis Uzoho are also part of the squad.

Other key players in the selection are Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredricks, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Abdullahi Bewene, Tochukwu Nnadi, Samson Tijani, and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Nigeria will face Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13. They will then travel to Zanzibar for the second match at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.

These two matches are very important for Nigeria's chances to qualify. The Super Eagles are currently in second place in Group L.

Nigeria needs to win both matches to improve their chances of getting the only qualification spot for the final tournament.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda next summer.

Nigeria’s 24-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).

Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava).

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Mubarak Suleiman (Slavia Prague).

Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Akor Adams (Venezia), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Moses Usor (LASK).