Ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies, Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has dropped mercurial striker Victor Osimhen and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from his latest 23-man squad, reports thegazellenews.com.
The Nigerian football governing body, Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), which confirmed the development on Wednesday, 18 March, 2026, said Chelle retained a strong core of experienced internationals, just as he also introduced fresh faces to reshape the team ahead of matches against Iran, March 27; and Jordan, March 31 in Antalya, Turkey.
Thegazellenews.com recalled that the fixtures were moved from Amman due to ongoing war in the Middle East.
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi will marshal the midfield alongside Alex Iwobi, while former African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman is expected to lead the attack in Osimhen’s absence.
Other notable omissions from the AFCON pool include goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Muhammed Usman, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, and forwards Salim Fago Lawal and Cyriel Dessers.
Chelle’s selections also include returnees and fresh faces: Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Greece-based Adeleye Adebayo join Francis Uzoho in goal, while defender Emmanuel Fernandez earns his first senior call-up alongside veterans like Semi Ajayi.
The midfield is anchored by Ndidi, Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka, with Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru adding creativity and tactical depth. In attack, responsibility is shared among Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, and newcomers Philip Otele (Germany) and Collins Yira Sor (Belgium).
