Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has handed first senior invitations to 13 players as he continues to expand his options ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures.
The new invitees, mostly drawn from clubs across Europe and the Middle East, include goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.
Several of the players have been included in Nigeria’s squad for the international friendly against Russia, while others will feature in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The invited players are:
Samuel James – The 20-year-old goalkeeper currently plays for Finnish club SJK.
Chibuzo Nwoko – The 20-year-old central midfielder plays for Fulham after spending time in Chelsea’s youth system.
Isaac James – The 22-year-old versatile defender plays for Portuguese club Alverca.
Victory Akpe – The 19-year-old centre-back currently plays for Swiss club Basel.
Stephen Michael – Michael currently plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF.
Igor Wilfred – The 21-year-old midfielder plays for Norwegian club Kristiansund.
Abdulrasaq Popoola – The 19-year-old midfielder plays for Al-Wasl.
Moses Usor – The 24-year-old winger plays for LASK.
Mubarak Suleiman – The 19-year-old attacking midfielder plays for Czech club Slavia Prague.
Umar Abubakar – The 20-year-old forward plays for Portuguese club Famalicão.
George Ilenikhena – Ilenikhena plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad.
Peter Edokpolor – The 19-year-old forward plays for Portuguese club Benfica.
Umar Abdullahi – The 19-year-old striker plays for Czech club Hradec Králové.
The influx of new players gives Chelle an opportunity to assess emerging talent alongside established Super Eagles stars such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon.
