Super Eagles: Chelle excludes Osimhen, Nwabali for upcoming friendlies

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has excluded Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali from his 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan.

Eric Chelle names his 23-man Super Eagles squad for the March international window. #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/ln11u7hRwd

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 18, 2026

​On Wednesday, Chelle named a squad headlined by captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman. However, Galatasaray striker Osimhen and free agent keeper Nwabali were notably absent from the gaffer’s list. In their place, Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, HSV winger Philip Otele, and KRC Genk forward Yira Collins Sor were handed maiden invitations to the national team.

Some regulars included

Regulars such as Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, and Akor Adams were also called up. Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye made their return to the team after missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Paul Onuachu, in the midst of a record-setting scoring run with Turkish club Trabzonspor, may get an opportunity to prove himself as a potential contributor in Osimhen’s absence.

The Super Eagles will take on Iran in Antalya, Turkey, on Friday, March 27th, followed by a clash against Jordan on Tuesday, March 31st.

Full 23-man Super Eagles squad

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)