Nigeria’s coach Éric Chelle announced a 24-player squad for the double-header against Tanzania in the AFCON 2027 Group L qualifiers.
Star striker Victor Osimhen will miss the matches due to a left knee injury, while 19-year-old midfielder Suleiman Mubarak has received his first call-up to the senior team.
Osimhen injured his knee during a Champions League match against Stuttgart and is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks. To compensate for his absence, Chelle will rely on forwards Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi. Notably, Suleiman Mubarak joins experienced players like Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also absent, but his exclusion is a strategic choice by the coach.
The Super Eagles will take on Tanzania on November 13 and 17, needing points to improve their standing in Group L, where they currently sit second with three points. Tanzania, already qualified for the next AFCON as hosts, will face these matches with less pressure.
Nigeria’s 24-man squad
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Bewene Abdullahi (Banik Ostrava).
Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Fulham), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Yusuf Alhassan (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Akor Adams (Venezia), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Moses Usor (LASK).
