Nwabali is back as Chelle names Super Eagles for AFCON qualifiers and Russia friendly

Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has brought back goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and kept most of Nigeria’s senior team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Chelle announced a 24-man squad on Thursday for Nigeria’s first two Group L matches. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi are also included.

Nigeria will kick off their qualifying campaign against Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, 25 September. They will then travel to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs four days later on Tuesday, 29 September.

Nwabali’s return is a key highlight of the squad since the Chippa United goalkeeper was not part of Nigeria’s recent international matches.

Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo are also in the goalkeeping mix. The defence includes Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Olaoluwa Aina.

Aina and Fredricks are back in the team. Okonkwo and Nwaiwu, who impressed during Nigeria’s Unity Cup, keep their spots.

Isaac James, who plays in Portugal, is selected for the first time. George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor also get their chance with the senior team.

In midfield, Chelle has Ndidi, Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, and Frank Onyeka to choose from.

The attack is made up of Osimhen, Lookman, Simon, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Ilenikhena, and Usor.

This squad marks the start of another qualification campaign after Nigeria finished third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The Super Eagles beat Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals, with Osimhen and Adams scoring the goals.

Nigeria is in Group L with Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and co-hosts Tanzania. Since Tanzania has already secured an automatic spot as a host, the qualification dynamics are different. The highest-ranked qualifying team among Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau will take the available finals place.