Super Eagles ready to fly high: Osimhen, Lookman & Iwobi headline Nigeria squad

This year started relatively well for the Nigeria national team, as they reached the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, only to suffer an unfortunate penalty-shootout defeat to the hosts, Morocco.However, the fact that they could only watch the World Cup from the comfort of their own homes after losing to DR Congo in the African play-offs and missing out on qualification must have been a bitter pill to swallow for the Super Eagles.##LINKED_NEWS_69086##Hence, as they prepare to embark on a new campaign, their motivation must be at an all-time high.The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are set to begin next week, so Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle announced a 24-man squad for the clashes against Madagascar at home (September 25) and Guinea-Bissau away (September 29).##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🇳🇬 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: The Super Eagles squad list for September’s AFCON qualifiers has been released! 🦅 <a href="https://t.co/xwOhsxijQI">pic.twitter.com/xwOhsxijQI</a></p>&mdash; Naija Footy (@TheNaijaFooty) <a href="https://x.com/TheNaijaFooty/status/2100835975576350900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##The Malian tactician mainly relied on tried-and-tested names, with Premier League stars Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick, Semi Ajayi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka among the key players, alongside established superstars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.Chelle also handed first-time call-ups to three potential debutants, with George Ilenikhena of Al-Ittihad, Isaac James of Alverca, and LASK's Moses Usor all in line to wear the Super Eagles shirt for the first time.22.00: (1.73) Bristol City (3.90) Watford (4.60)NIGERIA SQUAD:Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Isaac James (Alverca), Benjamin Fredrick (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Coventry City), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas)Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Venezia), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), George Ilenikhena (Al-Ittihad), Moses Usor (LASK)