Captain Wilfred Ndidi leads a squad that includes defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams.
By Sam Ovie
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Published on November 8, 2026
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2 min read
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and striker Victor Osimhen from his 24-man squad for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi leads a squad that includes defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams.
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC — returning), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredricks, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Abdullahi Bewene.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Alhassan Yusuf, Tochukwu Nnadi (maiden call-up), Samson Tijani, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Mubarak Suleiman.
Forwards: Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Usor.
Notable omissions include striker Victor Osimhen ruled out by a knee injury requiring surgery, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye replaced by Uzoho), and in-form Kelechi Iheanacho, along with others such as Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika.
Nigeria, currently second in Group L, will host Tanzania on November 13, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo before traveling for the return fixture on November 17 in Tanzania.
Wins would strengthen their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFCON, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Three-time champions Nigeria head into the double-header without their injured talisman Osimhen, relying on Lookman, Simon, and emerging options up front.
