# Nigeria national football team squad preparations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-national-football-team-squad-preparations
> Updated: 2026-09-18T14:10:13.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, continues its rebuilding phase under head coach Éric Sékou Chelle. Chelle is utilizing two separate squads to balance immediate competitive needs with long-term talent development: an established senior roster for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and a younger group for an international friendly against Russia scheduled for October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

To expand the national team's roster, Chelle has issued 13 new senior call-ups, primarily selecting players from clubs in Europe and the Middle East. Notable debutants include 19-year-old FC Basel centre-back Victory Akpe, 22-year-old defender Isaac James, and 20-year-old SJK goalkeeper Samuel James. The coach is using the upcoming friendly against Russia as a specific opportunity to assess this younger talent for the senior set-up.

The 24-man squad for the AFCON qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau includes established stars such as captain Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Moses Simon. The defensive unit features the return of Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks, alongside new faces George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Fitness concerns persist ahead of the scheduled fixtures. While Victor Osimhen remains part of the squad, he has been sidelined by injury, and Tolu Arokodare has recently been dealing with a fever. The Super Eagles are set to host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25, before traveling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Nigeria Super Eagles issue 13 new senior player call-ups

Nigeria Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has handed first senior call-ups to 13 players, including FC Basel defender Victory Akpe, ahead of AFCON qualifiers and a friendly against Russia.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-super-eagles-issue-13-new-senior-player-call-ups

### 2026-09-16: Nigeria names squad for 2027 AFCON qualifiers

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, featuring stars like Victor Osimhen and newcomers Isaac James and George Ilenikhena.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eric-chelle-prepares-nigeria-squads-for-afcon-qualifiers

### 2026-09-13: Nigeria national football team prepares dual squads for AFCON and Russia friendly

Nigeria's Super Eagles head coach Éric Sékou Chelle plans to field two different squads for upcoming AFCON qualifiers and a friendly against Russia as the team continues its rebuilding process.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-national-football-team-prepares-dual-squads-for-afcon-and-russia-friendly

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Cite as: Nigeria national football team squad preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-national-football-team-squad-preparations