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
