Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying double-header against Tanzania later this month. The list, released on Saturday, 7 November, is led by captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, but there is no place for striker Victor Osimhen, forward Kelechi Iheanacho or goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
Nigeria host Tanzania on Friday, 13 November, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before travelling for the return fixture on Tuesday, 17 November. With the Super Eagles sitting second in Group L, both matches are being described in the Nigerian press as close to must-win.
The Full 24-Man Squad
According to the list published by Nigerian media on Saturday, the squad is made up as follows:
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, captain), 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).
Osimhen, Iheanacho and Okoye Left Out
The biggest talking point is the absence of Osimhen. The Galatasaray striker has been dealing with a knee problem, and reports earlier this week indicated he was set to undergo surgery, which made his participation in the November window doubtful. Afrik-Foot attributes his omission to injury, while Blueprint simply reports that he was left out.
Iheanacho’s exclusion has raised more eyebrows. Afrik-Foot notes that the Bursaspor forward has been in prolific form at club level this season, but Chelle appears to favour Awoniyi, Arokodare and Akor Adams as his central striking options. No official reason was given for his omission, nor for that of Udinese goalkeeper Okoye.
Others missing include Samuel Chukwueze and Femi Azeez, both of whom Afrik-Foot reports are managing injury concerns, as well as Raphael Onyedika, Emmanuel Fernandez and George Ilenikhena. In midfield, Marseille’s Tochukwu Nnadi and Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru appear to have been preferred to Onyedika.
Where Nigeria Stand in Group L
Nigeria’s qualifying campaign has not been smooth. Afrik-Foot reports that the Super Eagles have three points, three behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau, following a recent defeat. Because Tanzania are one of the co-hosts of AFCON 2027, alongside Kenya and Uganda, the qualifying picture in the group is unusual: only one additional slot is available to the other teams, raising the stakes for every match.
That makes this window pivotal. Blueprint reports that Nigeria need to win both games against the Taifa Stars to strengthen their position, while BusinessDay describes the Uyo fixture as a showdown the Super Eagles cannot afford to drop points in. Nigeria last played a friendly against Russia last month, which ended 3-3, according to Afrik-Foot.
Venue for the Return Leg
Blueprint and BusinessDay report that the second match will be played at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, while Afrik-Foot lists Dar es Salaam as the venue. Supporters should await confirmation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before making travel plans. Kick-off times for both fixtures had not been announced at the time of writing.
What Happens Next
Players are expected to report to camp in the coming days ahead of the Uyo clash on 13 November. Chelle, who guided the team through a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign, will be under pressure to deliver six points and reignite Nigeria’s push for a place at the 2027 tournament in East Africa. All eyes will also be on Lookman and the strikers to fill the goal-scoring void left by Osimhen, the country’s most prolific forward of recent years.
The Super Eagles’ official channels announced the list with a short post introducing the squad for the November camp. Flashinfong will bring updates from camp and live coverage of both matches.
Sources: Blueprint, BusinessDay, Afrik-Foot, Super Eagles official social media.
