Head coach Eric Chelle has released a 23 man squad for the Nigeria national football team (Super Eagles) ahead of their upcoming international friendlies, with notable absences and fresh inclusions shaping the list.
Nigeria will compete in a four nation tournament in Turkey during the FIFA international window, facing Iran national football team, Jordan national football team and Costa Rica national football team. The competition was initially scheduled to take place in Jordan but was moved due to security concerns in the Middle East.
The Super Eagles, who will not feature at the next World Cup, are expected to use the tournament as part of their rebuilding process under Chelle following their third place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Nigeria will begin their campaign against Iran on March 27, while Jordan face Costa Rica in the other opening fixture. The final round of matches will be played on March 31, with Nigeria taking on Jordan and Iran facing Costa Rica.
The squad list sees the absence of Victor Osimhen, while there is a recall for Maduka Okoye. Three players have also received their first invitations to the national team, including Philip Otele, Yira Sor and Emmanuel Fernandez.
Defensively, regular names such as Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi are included, alongside Emmanuel Fernandez, who earns his first call up.
In attack, Chelle has selected options including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke and Paul Onuachu, with Akor Adams also making the list as part of the attacking options.
Goalkeepers invited include Maduka Okoye, Adeleye Adebayo and Francis Uzoho, while the defensive unit features a mix of experience and new faces across Europe.
The friendlies in Turkey will provide Chelle with an opportunity to assess his squad depth and test new combinations as Nigeria continue preparations for future international competitions.
Goalkeepers: Maduka Ooye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo 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); Simon Moses (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)
