Osimhen and Nwabali left out of Nigeria squad for Iran and Jordan friendlies Nigeria’s national football team coach, Eric Chelle, has finalized the 23-player squad for the upcoming four-nations tournament, which will feature matches against Iran, Jordan, and Costa Rica. The squad excludes two high-profile players, Victor Osimhen and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili, sparking discussions about their omission. Osimhen, a key forward for the team, and Nwabili, who has been without a club since leaving Chippa United in South Africa, were not selected for the friendly games. The tournament, organized by the Nigeria Football Federation, is part of the federation’s technical development plan aimed at strengthening the national team’s performance. The matches are scheduled to take place in March, with Jordan set to open the campaign against Costa Rica on March 27. Nigeria will face Iran on the same day, followed by a second match between Iran and Costa Rica on April 1. The Super Eagles will then take on Jordan in the final round. The selected squad includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Adeleye Adebayo, and Francis Uzoho are among the choices, while defenders like Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, and Bruno Onyemaechi are included. Midfielders such as Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Wilfred Ndidi are also part of the squad, alongside forwards like Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Paul Onuachu. Notable absentees include Osimhen and Nwabili, with the latter’s exclusion attributed to his lack of club affiliation. The tournament coincides with the Inter-Continental World Cup playoffs, where Nigeria has raised concerns over DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players during the African qualifiers.#eric_chelle #nigeria_football_federation #victor_osimhen #stanley_nwabili #super_eagles
International Friendlies: Nigeria Names 23 Players for Matches Against Iran and Jordan Head Coach Eric Chelle has selected 23 Nigerian players for the upcoming international friendly matches against Iran and Jordan, which have been relocated to Antalya, Turkey. The fixtures, originally scheduled in Amman, Jordan, were moved due to ongoing military conflict in the region. The Nigerian team will face Iran on March 27 at 4 p.m. local time and Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. local time, both games taking place in Antalya. The squad includes team captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfielder Alex Iwobi, and forward Ademola Lookman. Chelle has also called up Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, and Paul Onuachu. Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez, Germany-based forward Philip Otele, and Belgium-based Collins Yira Sor, a former junior international, are among the new additions to the squad. Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo has also returned to the fold. The 23-player list includes goalkeepers Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece), and 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), and Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland) are also named. Midfielders Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy) are included.#nigeria #eric_chelle #wilfred_ndidi #alex_iwobi #ademola_lookman
