Nigeria’s Super Eagles return to action with an international friendly against the Iran national football team at the Antalya Stadium, marking their first outing since finishing third at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The encounter provides another opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to continue reshaping the squad as the team enters a new phase following recent competitions.
Both nations have only met twice previously, with Nigeria holding a slight advantage. The Super Eagles secured a win in their first meeting in 1998 through a strike from Ahmed Garba, while their clash at the 2014 FIFA World Cup ended in a goalless draw.
The fixture is part of a four-nation invitational tournament that also features the Jordan national football team and the Costa Rica national football team, offering competitive preparation for all participating sides.
Nigeria approach the match looking to build on their recovery from the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where their journey ended after a playoff defeat to DR Congo. However, their bronze medal finish at AFCON, achieved with a victory over the Egypt national football team, has provided a positive platform.
Chelle is expected to use the game to assess new options and test combinations, especially with several key players unavailable. Star forward Victor Osimhen is absent, while Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey are also missing. First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is not part of the squad.
In their absence, experienced players like Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi are expected to take on leadership roles, while Ademola Lookman is likely to provide attacking creativity. Paul Onuachu is set to lead the line, offering a physical presence in attack.
For Iran, the friendly represents a chance to sharpen form ahead of future competitions, despite having already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the result, the match serves as an important step in Nigeria’s rebuilding process, giving the technical crew a clearer view of the squad’s depth and direction moving forward.
