AFCON 2027 Race: Osimhen, Chukwueze Headline Notable Absentees As Chelle Names 24 For Tanzania
By Saheed Afolabi
Several high-profile Super Eagles players, including Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Boniface, have been left out of head coach Éric Chelle’s 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania.
Osimhen’s absence was largely expected after Galatasaray confirmed that the striker would undergo knee surgery following an injury sustained during their UEFA Champions League encounter with VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday.
The injury rules the prolific forward out of Nigeria’s crucial encounters against the Taifa Stars, leaving Chelle without one of his most influential attacking options as the Super Eagles pursue qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
Also missing from the squad are AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface and former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who have all been overlooked for the two fixtures.
The omissions mean Chelle will have to rely on other attacking options, including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor to deliver the goals needed to secure maximum points.
Meanwhile, captain Wilfred Ndidi leads the selected players alongside experienced internationals Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina and Stanley Nwabali.
Other notable inclusions are Turkey-based defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, Czechia-based wing-back Abdullahi Bewene, midfielder Mubarak Suleiman and France-based Tochukwu Nnadi.
Nigeria will host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Zanzibar for the return fixture at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
The Super Eagles currently occupy second position in Group L and face a crucial battle to secure the group’s only qualifying ticket for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027.
Chelle’s men will need positive results in both encounters to strengthen their qualification hopes and avoid putting their AFCON participation in jeopardy.
Full List of Invited Players
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille, France); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Mubarak Suleiman (SK Slavia Prague, Czechia).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, Netherlands); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
