Chelle leaves out Osimhen, invites Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman and 20 others for Iran, Jordan games
By Uzor Odigbo
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 23-man squad featuring captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, now relocated from Amman, Jordan, to Antalya, Turkey.
Victor Osimhen was notably omitted, with no reason provided for his absence.
Nigeria will face Iran’s senior national team in Antalya on Friday, March 27 (kick-off 4pm local time), followed by Jordan’s senior national team on Tuesday, March 31 (kick-off 8pm local time).
The matches were originally set for Jordan’s Amman International Stadium (17,000 capacity) and King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (62,000 capacity), but were moved due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Chelle has also recalled Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, and Paul Onuachu.
New call-ups include Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez, Germany-based forward Philip Otele, and Belgium’s KRC Genk striker Collins Yira Sor (a former youth international). Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returns to the squad.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)
