Eric Chelle Releases Super Eagles Squad for International Friendly vs Iran and Jordan
- Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released his squad for the upcoming international friendly later this month
- Nigeria will partake in the four-nation tournament to be played at Antalya, Turkey, originally billed for Jordan
- Eric Chelle has dropped in-form striker Victor Osimhen and clubless goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali
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Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming international friendly on March 27.
The three-time AFCON champions will participate in a four-nation tournament at the same time as the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs scheduled to take place in Mexico.
Head coach Eric Chelle failed to guide Nigeria to the Mundial, as the team finished second behind South Africa national team in the qualifiers and also missed out during the African playoffs against DR Congo.
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Nigeria’s opponents in friendly matches
The Super Eagles will face Middle Eastern sides Jordan and Iran in upcoming international friendlies.
According to the NFF, Nigeria will take on Iran in Antalya on Friday, March 27, before facing Jordan on Tuesday, March 31.
Jordan recently qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup after a 3-0 victory over Oman in the AFC qualification round.
The friendly matches were originally slated for the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium and the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (also in Amman), but were moved to Turkey due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Chelle drops Osimhen, Nwabali
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle excluded the duo of Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali in his squad to prosecute the friendly.
The former Mali coach recalled Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Greece-based goal-tender Adeleye Adebayo.
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The 48-year-old will be banking on the experience of captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman.
Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez is called up for the first time, as are Germany-based forward Philip Otele and KRC Genk of Belgium’s Collins Yira Sor, a former junior international.
Full list below:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)
Everton star under Chelle's radar
Legit.ng earlier reported that Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has emerged as one of the names on the radar of Nigeria ahead of the March international friendlies.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, the 21-year-old has impressed in the Premier League this season with his technical skill and consistency in the Toffees midfield.
Source: Legit.ng
