Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi return from injury, but Victor Osimhen is missing after knee surgery as Nigeria chase maximum points against Tanzania.
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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named his squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania. A 25-man group, although the list it published carries 24 names, and Blueprint also counts 24.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon lead the familiar names in the group. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali keeps his place, while Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi and Akor Adams are also included.
Chelle has welcomed back several players after injury problems. Tochukwu Nnadi, Alhassan Yusuf and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru return, along with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, and Slavia Prague midfielder Mubarak Suleiman has earned his first senior call-up.
The notable absentees are Victor Osimhen, who has just had knee surgery, and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, along with Kelechi Iheanacho, despite his 17 league goals for Bursaspor this season. Samuel Chukwueze is also missing, as he is recovering from hip surgery.
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The Squad In Full
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Francis Uzoho (Omonia), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United). Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Marseille), Samson Tijani (Podbrezova), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Mubarak Suleiman (Slavia Prague). Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Akor Adams (Venezia), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Moses Usor (LASK).
What Is At Stake
Nigeria currently sit second in Group L, and only one ticket is available because Tanzania have already qualified as co-hosts. They have three points from two games, after beating Madagascar 2-1 and losing 3-0 at Guinea-Bissau, so the Super Eagles need strong results in both games against the Taifa Stars. Readers who follow the qualifying race can look at this Bet9ja promotion for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers.
The first leg is on Friday, November 13, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, and the return leg follows on Tuesday, November 17, in Dar es Salaam.
With Osimhen out, Chelle will rely on a mix of experience and form in attack. Awoniyi, Adams, Arokodare and Usor are the main striking options, and Arokodare arrives after scoring twice and setting up another in Ajax’s 6-1 win over Midtjylland. Usor is also included even though he went off with a reported injury for LASK on November 3.
Lookman and Simon give the team width and pace on the flanks. Fans who like to learn how betting offers work can read about how to get a Bet9ja promotion code step by step before the first leg.
The midfield looks strong too, with Ndidi leading from the back and Iwobi providing creativity. The return of Yusuf and Dele-Bashiru gives Chelle extra depth in the middle of the park.
The omission of Iheanacho will spark debate, because few Nigerian strikers have scored as often this season. Chelle has chosen a group that blends experience with fresh faces, and the results in Uyo and Dar es Salaam will show whether the choices are right.
📌 Did You Know?
- Mubarak Suleiman of Slavia Prague is the only first-time call-up in the squad.
- Eight of the players listed play in England, including Fulham pair Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
- Only one team from Group L will qualify for the 2027 AFCON, because Tanzania are already in as co-hosts.
- Nigeria lost 3-0 at Guinea-Bissau on September 29 and beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo in their first two qualifiers.
- The first leg against Tanzania is at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on November 13.
