Iheanacho Missing As Chelle Names 24 Eagles For Tanzania Double-Header
Despite 17 Goals In 14 Games For Bursaspor
Head Coach Éric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with in-form striker Kelechi Iheanacho a notable omission.
Iheanacho has been on fire for Turkish second division club Bursaspor, netting 17 goals in 14 games, and also scored on his return to the Super Eagles in last month’s international friendly against Russia.
Despite that form, he was left out of Chelle’s list.
Chelle’s roster is led by team captain Wilfred Ndidi, with defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams all included.
Also called up are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks, midfielders Tochukwu Nnadi and Samson Tijani, and forwards Moses Usor and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Turkey-based defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and Czechia-based wing-back Abdullahi Bewene also made the cut.
Victor Osimhen is also absent, after Galatasaray confirmed the striker will undergo knee surgery.
The Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13th November, before the return leg against the Taifa Stars at Zanzibar’s Amman Stadium on Tuesday, 17th November.
Nigeria, currently second in Group L, must win both games to improve their chances of picking the only ticket from the pool for the final tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next summer.
FULL LIST:
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford); Semi Ajayi (Hull City); Calvin Bassey (Fulham); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham); Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas); Alex Iwobi (Fulham); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio); Mubarak Suleiman (Slavia Prague)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City); Akor Adams (Venezia); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax); Moses Usor (LASK)
