Chelle Drops Osimhen, Nwabali from Super Eagles Squad

 

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a significantly reshuffled 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, omitting star striker Victor Osimhen and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in a bold tactical reconfiguration ahead of the March fixtures.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the squad list on Wednesday, revealing that Chelle has retained experienced internationals while introducing fresh faces as part of what appears to be a broader assessment strategy following Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Team captain Wilfred Ndidi returns to anchor the midfield alongside Alex Iwobi and former African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, who is expected to lead the attack in Osimhen’s absence. The exclusion of Osimhen, Nigeria’s most prolific striker and 2023 African Footballer of the Year, represents one of the most significant selection decisions since Chelle assumed the coaching role.

Nwabali, who emerged as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the AFCON tournament and has been widely regarded as the team’s most reliable shot-stopper, has also been left out, with Italy-based Maduka Okoye expected to compete for the starting position alongside Greece-based Adeleye Adebayo and Francis Uzoho.

The omissions extend beyond Osimhen and Nwabali, with Chelle dropping several players who featured in the AFCON squad. Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Muhammed Usman, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi, as well as forwards Salim Fago Lawal and Cyriel Dessers, have all been excluded from the current roster.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Iran on March 27 before taking on Jordan on March 31, with both matches now set to be played in Antalya, Turkey, after organisers were forced to relocate the fixtures from their original venue in Amman, Jordan, following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East that has escalated tensions across the region in recent weeks.

Chelle’s squad selection reflects a deliberate effort to expand Nigeria’s player pool and assess alternative tactical configurations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which resumes later in the year. Nigeria currently sits second in Group C of the African qualifiers with seven points from four matches, trailing Rwanda by two points with six games remaining.

The Malian coach, who was appointed in January 2025 following the departure of Finidi George, has faced intense scrutiny over his tactical approach and squad management decisions since taking charge. His tenure began with mixed results at the 2025 AFCON, where Nigeria reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by hosts Morocco in a controversial match that sparked widespread debate about officiating standards in African football.

Osimhen’s exclusion has generated significant attention given his status as Nigeria’s most decorated current player. The Napoli striker, who won the 2023 African Footballer of the Year award after leading his Italian club to their first Serie A title in 33 years, has been a consistent performer for the Super Eagles, scoring 23 goals in 34 international appearances since his debut in 2017. His absence suggests either a tactical shift by Chelle or potential fitness concerns, though the NFF statement provided no official explanation for the omission.

Nwabali’s exclusion is equally notable given his emergence as Nigeria’s most reliable goalkeeper over the past year. The Chippa United shot-stopper has been virtually undroppable since his impressive performances at the 2023 AFCON, where he kept three clean sheets and made several crucial saves during Nigeria’s run to the final. His omission opens the door for Okoye, who previously served as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper before losing his place following inconsistent club form at Udinese.

The defensive lineup maintains a blend of experience and experimentation, with Semi Ajayi recalled alongside Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi and Igoh Ogbu. Scotland-based Emmanuel Fernandez has received his first senior call-up, marking a new addition to Nigeria’s defensive options as Chelle seeks to address long-standing vulnerabilities at the back that have plagued the team in recent competitions.

The midfield retains its established core, with Leicester City captain Ndidi joined by Fulham’s Iwobi, Everton’s Frank Onyeka, Lille’s Raphael Onyedika and Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The quintet offers a combination of defensive solidity, creative distribution and ball-carrying ability that has formed the foundation of Nigeria’s recent tactical approach.

In attack, Chelle has distributed responsibility across multiple options in Osimhen’s absence. Lookman, who finished third in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting after scoring a hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory, is expected to lead the line alongside Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.

Germany-based forward Philip Otele and Belgium-based Collins Yira Sor have both received maiden call-ups, rewarded for impressive club performances that have attracted Chelle’s attention. Otele has scored six goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances for VfL Bochum this season, while Sor has netted eight times in 22 Belgian Pro League matches for Westerlo, demonstrating the kind of goalscoring form that could prove valuable in Osimhen’s absence.

The friendlies against Iran and Jordan represent crucial preparation opportunities for Nigeria as the team seeks to refine its tactical identity and build momentum ahead of more competitive fixtures. Iran, ranked 33rd in the latest FIFA rankings, qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing second in their Asian qualifying group, while Jordan, ranked 68th, has emerged as one of Asia’s most improved teams in recent years.

Nigeria, currently ranked 44th by FIFA, has struggled to maintain consistency in recent years despite possessing one of Africa’s most talented player pools. The Super Eagles have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup since 2018 and last won the AFCON in 2013, a drought that has intensified pressure on successive coaches to deliver silverware.

Chelle’s appointment represented a departure from Nigeria’s traditional preference for high-profile international coaches, with the NFF opting for a younger, less experienced tactician who had previously managed Mali’s under-23 team and several Malian club sides. His reported monthly salary of $100,000 has generated controversy among former internationals and fans, with critics questioning whether his credentials justify the substantial investment.

The upcoming fixtures will provide Chelle with an opportunity to silence doubters and demonstrate his tactical vision for the Super Eagles. The absence of Osimhen and Nwabali, while surprising, could also serve as a statement of intent, signaling that no player is guaranteed selection regardless of reputation or past achievements.

The NFF has not provided specific reasons for the high-profile omissions, and Chelle has not addressed the media regarding his selection decisions as of the time of this report. Both Osimhen and Nwabali remain available for future call-ups, and their exclusion from the current squad does not necessarily indicate a permanent shift in Chelle’s plans.

The Super Eagles will convene in Turkey next week ahead of the March 27 encounter with Iran, with the squad expected to arrive in Antalya by March 24 to begin preparations. The NFF has confirmed that both matches will be played behind closed doors due to security protocols implemented by Turkish authorities in response to the regional instability that necessitated the venue change.