AFCON 2027: Iheanacho out as Chelle names Nigeria's November 2026 squad
Eric Chelle has officially announced his squad for the November 2026 AFCON qualfiers for the 2027 edition of the tournament.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has announced his 24-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania, with striker Kelechi Iheanacho notably absent from the list.
Chelle has retained several key members of his squad, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.
Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo also made the squad, alongside defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks. Midfielders Tochukwu Nnadi and Samson Tijani have also been included.
Among the other forwards selected are Moses Usor and Taiwo Awoniyi, while Turkey-based defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and Czechia-based wing-back Abdullahi Bewene have earned call-ups.
The squad will be tasked with securing maximum points from Nigeria’s two encounters against the Taifa Stars as the Super Eagles look to strengthen their position in Group L.
Nigeria will host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Zanzibar for the return fixture at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
Currently occupying second position in Group L, the Super Eagles face an important challenge in their bid to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
With the qualification race reaching a crucial stage, Chelle's men will be hoping to deliver two strong performances and boost their chances of reaching the continental showpiece.
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Mubarak Suleiman (SK Slavia Prague, Czechia)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)
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