Nigeria announces squads for AFCON qualifiers and match against Russia — Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria national team head coach Eric Chelle has announced two 24-player squads: for the opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and for a friendly against the Russia national team. Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has returned to the squad for qualification, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Africa Cup of Nations qualifying
Nigeria will begin its Group L campaign with a home match against Madagascar on September 25 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Four days later, the team will play Guinea-Bissau away.
The squad includes captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi. Along with Nwabali, Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo will cover the goalkeeper positions. The defenders include Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaivu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina.
Aina and Fredericks have returned to the team, while Okonkwo and Nwaivu retained their places following their performances at the Unity Cup. James, who plays in Portugal, has received his first call-up to the national team. George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor have also been given the opportunity to play for the national team. In midfield, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka join Ndidi and Iwobi, while the attack includes Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Separate squad for the match against Russia
For the friendly against the Russia national team, scheduled for October 6, Chelle called up a different 24-player squad. Nwabali and Ndidi retained their places in the team, as did Simon, Adams, Fredericks, Osayi-Samuel and Onyedika.
The goalkeeper group includes Michael Atata of Ikorodu City, Samuel James, who plays in Finland, and Nwabali. The midfield call-ups are Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrazak, Suleiman Mubarak and Aderemi Adeoye. In attack, alongside Simon and Adams, the squad includes Kelechi Iheanacho, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.
The previous meeting between Nigeria and Russia ended in a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025. Tolu Arokodare equalised after Semi Ajayi's own goal.
