Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has invited 13 new players to the senior national team ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international matches.
The players, who are mostly based in Europe and the Middle East, include goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.
Some of the new players have been called up for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia, while others are expected to be involved in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The 13 players receiving their first senior invitations are:
Samuel James: The 20-year-old goalkeeper plays for Finnish club SJK.
Chibuzo Nwoko: The 20-year-old central midfielder plays for Fulham. He previously spent time in Chelsea’s youth system.
Isaac James: The 22-year-old defender plays for Portuguese club Alverca and can operate in different defensive positions.
Victory Akpe: The 19-year-old centre-back plays for Swiss club Basel.
Stephen Michael: Michael currently plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF.
Igor Wilfred: The 21-year-old midfielder plays for Norwegian club Kristiansund.
Abdulrasaq Popoola: The 19-year-old midfielder plays for Al-Wasl in the United Arab Emirates.
Moses Usor: The 24-year-old winger plays for Austrian club LASK.
Mubarak Suleiman: The 19-year-old attacking midfielder plays for Czech club Slavia Prague.
Umar Abubakar: The 20-year-old forward plays for Portuguese club Famalicão.
George Ilenikhena: The forward currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
Peter Edokpolor: The 19-year-old forward plays for Portuguese club Benfica.
Umar Abdullahi: The 19-year-old striker plays for Czech club Hradec Králové.
The new invitations are part of Chelle’s efforts to assess more players ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international engagements and the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
