Despite reports of an agreement between Galatasaray and the NFF over the release of Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles today listed the star striker for 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been recalled.
Osimhen is yet to fully recover from a groin injury he suffered earlier this month in action with the Turkish champions with the media in Turkey reporting that he will only be back in action after the elongated international break next month.
It was also reported that an agreement has been reached with Galatasaray for the player to be left out of the AFCON qualifiers.
However, coach Eric Chelle has named him for the qualifying matches, while also recalling Nwabali, who last played for the national team in January before he terminated his contract with South African club Chippa United and stayed away from the game for five months.
Nwabali has since returned to action with Chippa and thus his recall.
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is also making a return to the team after almost a year out.
The Forest star has been far from happy with the authorities after he was “abandoned” following his injury against South Africa in a 2026 World Cup qualifier last September.
Portugal-based defender Isaac James teams up with the three-time African champions for the first time, same for forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.
The Super Eagles host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 25th September, before flying to Bissau to take on the Wild Dogs in a Day 2 encounter on Tuesday, 29th September.
SUPER EAGLES FOR AFCON QUALIFIERS
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); George Ilhenikina (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)
