Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle could give as many as 13 new players their full international debuts in the forthcoming international break, which has two 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau as well as a friendly against Russia.
The bulk of the new boys are prospective U23 internationals, who will feature in the Russia friendly ahead of the U23 AFCON qualifiers leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Who are these new hopefuls for the Super Eagles set-up?
Isaac James
The 22-year-old Alverca defender is a versatile left-back who can also operate as a wing-back or left centre-back.
He began his career with Garden City Panthers before moving through France and eventually settling in Portugal, where he has established himself as a regular starter for Alverca.
Victory Akpe
Akpe, 19, is a centre-back who has enjoyed a rapid rise in European football.
The approximately 1.95m defender moved from Lithuania to Hungary before joining Swiss club Basel in 2026.
His physical presence and ability to play out from the back have earned him his first senior invitation.
Samuel James
The SJK goalkeeper is another youngster receiving his first senior call-up.
The 20-year-old shot-stopper came through Mavlon FC and previously represented Nigeria at youth level with the Flying Eagles.
He has established himself in Finland and is now part of Chelle’s goalkeeping options.
Chibuzo Nwoko
Nwoko, 20, is a left-footed central midfielder who came through Fulham’s academy after spending time in Chelsea’s youth system.
He represented England at Under-18 level before switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.
He recently made his senior club debut and is now in line for his first Super Eagles appearance.
Stephen Fumelu
The 19-year-old central midfielder, also known as Stephen Michael, plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF.
Fumelu joined the club in 2025 and is regarded as an energetic box-to-box midfielder.
Igor Wilfred
Wilfred, 21, operates as a central or defensive midfielder for Norwegian club Kristiansund.
The HB Academy of Abuja graduate has become a regular starter in the Norwegian Eliteserien and has now earned his first invitation to the Super Eagles.
Ridwan Abdulrasaq Popoola
The 19-year-old Al-Wasl midfielder, also known as Ridwan Popoola, stands at about 1.91m.
He began his career in Nigerian grassroots football before moving to Hungary, where he featured for Kisvárda, and later joined Al-Wasl in 2026.
Mubarak Suleiman
Suleiman, 19, is an attacking midfielder with Czech club Slavia Praha.
He emerged from the Right2Win Academy in Umuahia and attracted attention through his UEFA Youth League performances.
He also scored following his senior debut for Slavia and recently extended his contract with the club until 2031.
Moses Usor
The 24-year-old LASK winger is one of the more experienced players among the new invitees.
The left-footed forward mainly operates from the right wing and played an important role in LASK’s recent league-and-cup double.
Usor is also included in the squad for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers.
George Ilenikhena
Lagos-born striker George Ilenikhena, 20, developed in France with Amiens before moving to Royal Antwerp in Belgium and then AS Monaco.
He scored in the Champions League during his time in Europe before joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in 2026.
Eligible to represent both Nigeria and France, Ilenikhena has committed his international future to the Super Eagles and is also part of the AFCON qualifiers squad to prove how highly rated he is by coach Eric Chelle.
Peter Edokpolor
The 19-year-old Benfica forward is a tall centre-forward, who can also operate from the wing.
Edokpolor joined the Portuguese giants from Galadima FC of Abuja and has progressed through the club’s Under-23 and B teams, with exposure to the first-team set-up.
Umar Abubakar
Abubakar, 20, is a 1.90m striker who plays for Portuguese club Famalicão.
The former Nigeria Under-17 player scored 21 goals during a loan spell at Jong Gent before earning a permanent move to Famalicão.
Umar Abdullahi
The 19-year-old Hradec Králové striker, also known as Abdullahi Umar, completes the list.
He made a strong impression at Under-19 level after scoring 25 goals in one season before progressing to senior football in the Czech Republic.
Adapted from The Punch
