Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman leading the selection.
Nigeria host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before the return fixture at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17. Nigeria are second in Group L, behind Guinea-Bissau, with only the group winners guaranteed a place at the finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Victor Osimhen, who misses the Tanzania double-header through injury — file photo
- Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo
- Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Abdullahi Bewene
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Alhassan Yusuf, Tochukwu Nnadi, Samson Tijani, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Mubarak Suleiman
- Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Usor, Taiwo Awoniyi
Osimhen, Okoye and Iheanacho missing
The squad is without talisman Victor Osimhen, who sustained a left knee injury in Galatasaray's Champions League win over VfB Stuttgart and has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery. He also missed Nigeria's September qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau with a groin injury.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also missing, with Francis Uzoho returning to the squad in his place. And there is no place for Kelechi Iheanacho, despite his scoring form at Bursaspor and his goal in Nigeria's 3-3 draw with Russia in October — an omission several sports desks flagged as the squad's biggest talking point after Osimhen's absence.
Who leads the line without Osimhen?
With Osimhen out, Chelle's forward options are Lookman, Simon, Adams, Arokodare, Usor and Awoniyi. Lookman, now at Atletico Madrid according to the squad list published by Voice of Nigeria and other outlets, is the most decorated name in that group, but the central striker role is open in a way it rarely is when Osimhen is fit.
Nigeria need wins in both matches to improve their chances of taking the group's only ticket. Doing it without their most important attacker is the challenge that will define this international window.
What happens next
The squad assembles for the November camp ahead of the Uyo match on November 13. Chelle is expected to address the media on Osimhen's recovery timeline and the Iheanacho decision as the camp opens, and the team then travels to Zanzibar for the November 17 return.
Credit: Voice of Nigeria, The Athletic NG and Soccernet NG squad reports of November 7–8, 2026.
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