The 20 year old former Nigeria U-17 defender left Club Brugge for Tromsø in August and now has his first senior call-up.
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Tromsø centre back Vince Osuji has received his first Super Eagles call up, as a late replacement for Basel’s Akpe Victory ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Russia. The 20 year old was invited on Friday, October 2.
Osuji is a former Nigeria U-17 international. He stands 1.88m and is a right footed centre back who can also play as a defensive midfielder.
From Nigeria to Norway
He moved abroad at 18, joining Swedish club Kalmar FF in April 2024, where he played 16 league games and scored once. Several European clubs showed interest, with Soccernet.ng listing Chelsea, Ajax, Genk and Reims among them.
Club Brugge signed him in January 2025 for a reported €3 million. He mostly played for the reserve side, Club NXT, and made one Belgian Pro League appearance.
Tromsø signed him in August 2026 on a deal until 2029, giving him a chance at regular football. He has played 137 minutes in the 2026 Eliteserien so far, according to FotMob.
What the Call-Up Means
Chelle’s squad for Russia is a reshaped group, and Osuji is one of several newcomers. Fans who like to test their forecasts for Tuesday’s game can call Nigeria vs Russia on Super9ja.
Akpe is one of three players who withdrew, along with captain Wilfred Ndidi and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
The friendly is the first match since the 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau.
Chelle has also called John Otomewo of Reims and Rostov’s Ibraheem Ajasa as late additions. Fans following Nigeria’s new faces can check YOHAIG’s Bet9ja first-step bonus.
The Match
Nigeria play Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6. Russia come in after a 6-0 win over Namibia in their last friendly.
Nigeria’s next competitive games are two qualifiers against Tanzania in November.
Will Osuji get his first minutes in Nizhny Novgorod? New bettors following the squad can read the Bet9ja promo code briefing.
📌 Did You Know?
- After Kalmar were relegated from the 2024 Allsvenskan, Swedish media reported that at least nine European clubs were interested in Osuji.
- A transfer to Genk was reportedly blocked by visa problems.
- Tromsø were due to face Brighton in the Conference League play-off round two days after he joined, but he wasn’t eligible to play.
- Tromsø were third in the Eliteserien when he arrived.
- He wears number 24 at Tromsø.
